Nursery Today January 2023

editor’s letter

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Happy New Year and welcome to the first issue of 2023!

Although it doesn’t feel any different to 2022 so far with the cost-of-living crisis continuing and no evidence in sight that this will slow down in the near future, I have to say from speaking with independent retailers and suppliers, you are all demonstrating that as an industry you are extremely resilient in times of difficulty.

With every business feeling the pinch, consumers have also started to alter the way they purchase, looking perhaps for value products that don’t necessarily compromise on function, style and of course safety, price matching services and of course offers and deals! As an industry, we could also see an increase in the purchase of infant products that are seen as value if they adapt to a growing child’s needs or can be repurposed after as an item that can be used elsewhere within the home. Bundles are also appearing to be faring exceptionally well at present with independent retailer Jolly Tots Managing Director, Lorretta Owen stating: “Customers are definitely altering their buying habits. In turn they are looking for even greater discounts. We are receiving a huge number of ‘price match’ requests. Our bundles are proving a very popular choice. They provide excellent value for money. Customers are looking at more

the year ahead, stating in his article over on page 26: “Growth is wonderful but remember you can’t grow every year. Sometimes business contracts, this is normal given the economic climate. Just ensure you maintain margin and you come out the other side ready. If 2023 can see us all at least stand still next year we can focus on growing and getting back to what we all do best.”

This month we highlight a variety of product categories to whet your appetite including pregnancy and maternity (page 14), essentials for baby (page 20), items for when travelling with baby (page 28), nursery furniture (page 36) and products that are all British by design (page 42).

Over on our news page you will see that Green Sheep Group (GSG) have made quite an iconic appointment to their team. This fast-growing nursery brand was delighted to announce the appointment of Mitch Levene. Mitch who is known for being the Managing Director at Chicco and Artsana for many years, will transfer his unique wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role as Chief Operating Officer and will work across both of GSG’s iconic brands, Snüz and The Little Green Sheep. The team here would like to congratulate Mitch and wish him every success for the future at GSG.

budget conscious items.” Also adding that their customers are altering the way in which they make and pay for their purchase. “There is also an increase in the number of orders that are placed using PayPal credit, Klarna and Clearpay to spread the cost.” Spreading the cost of purchases does seem as though it will become the normal for the year ahead, with nearly every retailer on our Retailers Opinion pages commenting with similar experiences, with Kiddies Kingdom’s Commercial Manager Mohammed Dalal adding “We’ve found that customers are now shopping around for the best deal and we don’t blame them! We offer a price match service to ensure our customers are always getting the best price. We have seen increase in the use of buy now, pay later across purchases of over £500, as people are trying to spread the cost.”

Pramland’s John Barker is keeping positive about

We would also like to wish Darren Pumfrett well in his new role as he joins the Venicci UK team as a Commercial Director.

Talking of news, if you haven’t already why not subscribe to our online news service via www.nurserytoday.co.uk to ensure you’re always in the loop with industry related updates during 2023!

Finally, can I wish you all a positive start to the year and remember, feel free to email me with any news or comments (penny@lemapublishing.co.uk) – I love hearing from you all.

Mitch Levene joins Little Green Sheep Group as new COO

Darren Pumfrett appointed Commercial Director, Venicci UK

This month we highlight a variety of product categories to whet your appetite

Baby Brands Direct announced as sole distributor of Kikka Boo

Kikka Boo products are established in a vast portfolio of categories covering everything a child needs from breast feeding to textile accessories. Baby Brands Direct are proud to make available such an inspiring brand to the independent sector within the UK and look forward to support from their retailers to ensure a long lasting and successful contribution to its continued growth and expansion.

Just like Peek-a-Boo, Kikka Boo is a fun loving brand for little ones, full of surprise and delight. The moderately young company brings together the latest in product innovation combined with its European design team that embraces soft pastels and adorable prints onto staple baby and nursery products that spans over the categories of feeding, bathing, hygiene, toys and textiles.

Operations Director at Baby Brands Direct comments, ‘I am really excited to be able to make this award winning brand easily available to the independent sector. The brand offers a complete range of key product differentials within each nursery category supported by good quality manufacturing combined with beautiful designs, with suitable packaging for retail display and all at competitive consumer prices.’

Kikka Boo products are exclusively imported into the UK by Baby Brands Direct, with over 100 products lines now available to independent retailers to purchase with more scheduled over the coming months www.babybrandsdirect.co.uk

Bespoke SolutionsLogistic for the New Year

Kiss Logistics offers a range of reliable, flexible and cost-efficient services from their Manchester-based warehousing facility that stretches across an enormous 275,000 sq ft.

Their dedicated team have a wealth of experience and is committed to helping businesses implement a logistics strategy utilising the latest technology. The warehousing and fulfilment services they have to offer include full inventory management, order pick, pack and delivery, along with a variety of other bespoke solutions.

info@kisslogistics.co.uk

UPPAbaby Merges Canadianwithand United Kingdom Distributors

UPPAbaby, the USA based stroller brand, has announced the merger with its UK and Canadian distributors, DCUK Ltd and 5514KM, both co-founded and managed by Jeff Stock of Toronto, ON, Canada.

“5514KM and DCUK Ltd have been valued partners of UPPAbaby since they became distributors for us 13 years ago,” said CEO and co-founder Bob Monahan. “As we look towards the future and continued global expansion, this merger comes at a pivotal time for the business and will extend our customer experience, marketing operations and sales team reach throughout Canada and the United Kingdom. We look forward to working with, and integrating, both business teams to UPPAbaby officially as UPPAbaby Canada and UPPAbaby UK.”

Leveraging the relationships with retailers in both countries and the reach each business has in Canada and the United Kingdom, will allow for continued growth opportunities for UPPAbaby across all business units.

“Becoming a distributor of UPPAbaby more than a decade ago was a turning point for our two companies,” said Co-founder Jeff Stock. “UPPAbaby has and continues to be a brand built on customers first and offering parents quality products and a truly 360-approach to customer experience, which has always aligned with 5514’s and DCUK’s mission and values.  This next step for us to become part of UPPAbaby and extend their global operations, is an exciting time for all and we’re looking forward to continuing to provide the best juvenile gear to our parents in Canada and the United Kingdom.” Richard Bamforth, Director of Sales for DCUK comments: “The move from a distribution model to being part of the UPPAbaby organization is the start of an exciting new era for UPPAbaby in the UK and puts us on an even playing field with other global brands.  I’m extremely proud of what the team at DCUK, and our business partners, have achieved over the last 12 years, taking on the emerging UPPAbaby brand in 2010 and making it one of the UK market leaders. As a part of the UPPAbaby organization, I look forward to taking the brand to greater success in the UK.”

www.uppababy.com

Record festive sales for M&P

Mamas & Papas, one of the leading high street nursery brands, said year-on-year sales grew 16% in the eight weeks to 25th December as shoppers flocked to its stores during the retail sector’s crucial trading period.

The business, which designs, wholesales and retails travel systems, nursery furniture and children’s clothing ranges, also registered its best-ever trading day on Black Friday (25th November), with 30 of its 52 stores setting new records.

In a sign of a rebounding high street, store-based sales grew 27%, driven by double-digit like for like sales and new store openings.

Last year (2022), it opened a total of 15 concessions under its partnership with retailer NEXT, along with two new concessions with Marks & Spencer.   Its best-performing category over the period was children’s clothing, which was up 43% on the prior year, followed by toys and gifts, which increased 27%.

Mark Saunders, Chief Executive Officer of Mamas & Papas, said: “We’re delighted to be reporting such a strong performance as we head for a record-breaking financial year. Our digital business made a positive contribution, but footfall and store-based sales significantly surpassed prepandemic levels over the Black Friday and Christmas trading period, which is a clear sign of Britain’s love of the high street.

“Despite the ongoing cost of living challenges for many customers, we’re continuing to see the resilience across all product categories in the nursery market, where we’re now achieving a 17% share.

“In 2023 we are building on this momentum by continuing to invest in our growth strategy, meaning that customers will see even more concessions opening with NEXT and Marks & Spencer.

“We’re also developing new brand partnerships and product launches while increasing investment in our communities and colleagues through our ESG agenda.”

He added: “Whether it’s through our website or in-store, our goal continues to be the most accessible nursery brand with an unrivalled commitment to our customers.”

Earlier this year, Mamas & Papas introduced a new circularity strategy to help reduce the amount of clothing sent to landfill each year, including a new store-based take-back scheme under its partnership with charity Oxfam.

New faces at Tutti Bambini

Tutti Bambini’s sales team is growing as they welcome Georgie as their Independent Sales Manager. With a background in the baby industry, Georgie is a face some of you might have met at the Harrogate Nursery Fair in previous years. She will now be the point of contact for all the independent retailers with the view to expand the brand’s presence whilst maintaining relationships with current accounts.

The brand has grown from strength to strength in the last couple of years, and it continues to invest in further developing its operations and expanding teams across all departments.

www.tuttibambini.com

Enesco to raise money for GOSH

Enesco is delighted to announce a brand-new, special edition Peter Rabbit plush in collaboration with Penguin Ventures on behalf of Frederick Warne & Co. (owner of THE WORLD OF PETER RABBIT brand and part of Penguin Random House).

The new Peter Rabbit GOSH plush will raise vital funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH Charity) (registered charity no.1160024) to help give seriously ill children treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) the best chance to fulfil their potential.

As part of the new reimagined Beatrix Potter Soft Toy Collection, featuring brand-new patterns and fabrics as well as high-quality super soft stuffings, the Peter Rabbit GOSH plush is wonderful to touch and oh-so-cuddly, while calling on the classic designs, character illustrations and original artwork from Beatrix Potter’s best-loved tales.

Available in large size measuring in at 30.0cm tall and a small measuring 16.0cm tall, the Peter Rabbit GOSH large and Peter Rabbit GOSH small retail with a SRP of £25.00 and £16.50 respectively. Both the large and small Peter Rabbit GOSH are presented with a co-branded ear tag featuring the logos of Peter Rabbit and GOSH Charity.

www.enesco.co.uk

Venicci growth in strength

Darren Pumfrett joins the UK team as a Commercial Director.

Venicci are proud to announce that Darren has joined their ever-growing team commenting: “We are delighted to have a person like Darren join our team.

“He has many years of experience and will support further actions for such an important market for us.”

www.venicci.co.uk

Rainbow Designs embarks on an animal adventure

In a Strategic Distribution Deal with the US Plush Powerhouse, Animal Adventure, Rainbow Designs will launch and distribute the Animal Adventure Soft Toy Collections in the UK, together with an appealing range of Seasonal and Promotional plush.

The Animal Adventure Collection, for Rainbow Designs features a carefully curated range of Everyday Softs for Baby and the cutest and most adorable line up of Animal Soft Toys for Kids of all ages.

In addition to the Core Domestic Stock opportunity, this agreement provides Rainbow and its customers access to the impressive and extensive Catalogue of Seasonal, Specials and Everyday Plush, from Animal Adventure and its affiliate, Dan Dee International, offering a wide variety of formats and designs for every occasion, available from their extensive plush sourcing and supply chain resource.

Anthony Temple, Rainbow Designs Managing Director commented: “This Distribution Agreement is an exciting new opportunity to expand and extend our current business into the Everyday Plush sector, alongside our traditional Licensed Character business. The Animal Adventure Collection adds an extra dimension for Rainbow and is complementary to our position as the Home of Classic Characters. Animal Adventure and Dan Dee have a proven leadership position in the US Soft Toy Market with amazing design and sourcing capability. We are delighted to be joining forces with them on this new Adventure. It’s a great fit and we are looking forward to working with the Animal Adventure Team.” www.rainbowdesigns.co.uk

Iconic appointment at Green Sheep Group

Fast growing nursery brand, Green Sheep Group (GSG), is delighted to announce the appointment of Mitch Levene. With more than a decade of senior level industry experience, Mitch joins the Warwickshire based business as Chief Operating Officer, in a highly strategic move for the business.

Formerly the Managing Director at Chicco and Artsana, Mitch brings a unique wealth of knowledge and expertise to the nursery brand. His unrivalled background in business development and commercial strategy, will be a huge asset as GSG continues to grow and expand both nationally and internationally.

In his new role as Chief Operating Officer, Mitch will work across both of GSG’s iconic brands, Snüz and The Little Green Sheep, with a clear objective to identify and pursue new business opportunities, as well as strengthen the brand’s existing partnerships. Drawing on his strong management skills and clear ability to lead strategically, Mitch will be instrumental in driving the team forward, to deliver on the brand’s ambitious plans for expansion and developments in 2023 and beyond.

Speaking about the appointment Green Sheep Group’s CEO, Roger Allen, said: “Mitch is a true professional with a huge wealth of knowledge and unique industry experience – we are excited to have him on board. His proven track record of success in building relationships and driving revenue through strategic growth makes him the perfect fit for our team, not to mention his skills and expertise, which will be a great asset as the business continues to grow.

“With Mitch’s addition to the team, Green Sheep Group is perfectly positioned to take on new challenges and continue our core objective of making parents’ lives easier,” continued Roger. “We are confident his appointment and future contributions will have a significant impact on the success of the company and we look forward to all that the future holds.”

Newly appointed COO, Mitch Levene, added: “I am excited to join the Green Sheep Group team and contribute my skills and experience to the company. I have always been impressed with the company’s commitment to innovation and its sustainable fast paced growth – I look forward to being a part of such a dynamic and forwardthinking team.”

retailer opinion

What are your hopes for 2023 as a business?

Hello 2023! Have all the usual hopes and dreams for the new year: stability, growth, success, and money in my pocket!

Do you think your customers will be altering their buying habits during the continued cost of living crisis?

The COL crisis has seen my customer base already alter their buying – a lot are leaving it really late to order. For reasons I can’t fathom. I think many were expecting Mr Boombastic Black Friday and Boxing Day sales and those freebies didn’t materialize for them, so it’s back to last minute panic buying. They’re still spending, but they’re really dragging it out. Doesn’t matter if you tell people ETA’s, I think there is this general thought process, that if you don’t have it, I’ll get it online – which is rarely the case. So… there is a fair bit of disappointment in the air also!

How has the cost-of-living crisis effected your own business, for example, the cost of running your store?

Costs as a result of the COL crisis have skyrocketed, across the board, everywhere, its all we are seeing everywhere. I for one have not switched off my heating, we are an old building – we need heat, just have to work harder to get the bill paid! Joking aside, everything is affected by this, mortgage, rent, rates, fuel, gas, lecky – have you seen the price of a fudge doughnut!? Look it is what it is, and we can moan about it but there isn’t much we can do but as always, ride it out.

popular, it’s really going to grow this year. The goth in me hopes this is a short-lived fad, but listen if it sells, I’ll stock it!

How will you be utilising social media throughout 2023? Do you feel this will give your business a higher level of success to bring customer awareness and drive footfall or visits to your website?

Social media is a no brainer, for all walks of life – there is no easier way to communicate and put yourself out to the world. We have things in the pipeline to grow interaction and I think awareness and footfall come as a bonus to that.

Speaking of pipeline, it’s bursting at the seams! New marketing campaigns, exclusive brand collaborations with key brands…and fun! Everything has been so serious for so long, I think on a human level, we need more fun and a little more lighthearted – business is business, good or bad times, we see them through – we are very well established – we just don’t need to be miserable whilst doing it (this is not my confession I am speaking of the human condition).

Are your customers running research online prior to purchase and expecting larger discounts or price-matching from you?

Definitely our customer base is spending more time researching online prior to visiting. However, they come instore expecting things to be a lot less in price…they seem to think that indie shops are cheap as standard, or will discount for a ‘cash’ payment – have we gone back to the 80s marketplace selling? Before my time, but I hope not! I can’t do the haggling nonsense! I rarely price match, can’t handle that – just refuse. You’ve seen it cheaper, buy it cheaper. I remember working in Curry’s part time whilst at Uni, and having people come in from Dixons next door asking for price match – WHY?!!!!!

I digress! I think the largest challenge is going to be more of what we have had recently, stock and delays. Consumers leaving it later and later is not helping, 2023 will see us taking in more stock certainly, to cover all possibilities. What type of support would you like to see your suppliers giving you throughout 2023?

I have a great working relationship with my suppliers, and I feel now more than ever we have a really good working system. I’d like a continuation of the same please guys and any support available for instore would be great! I expect more support from them on their websites and social media – they need to shout about us the way we shout about them (just a wee bit more guys please)!

Do you feel there will be a particular nursery product category that will be trending this year, or perhaps a colourway, products with eco credentials, etc.?

We’ve already seen people wanting all terrain prams; so, all-rounders – and I think this will continue this year, as people are making practical purchases. Colourwise; it’s my worst nightmare! Beiges (down with beige I say!), browns, greens – are

Nursery Today spoke to Babyland Fife’s Managing Director, Yasmin Ali to find out her thoughts on the year ahead as an independent nursery retailer.

I have a great working relationship with my suppliers, and I feel now more than ever we have a really good working system. I’d like a continuation of the same please guys and any support available for instore would be great!

retailer opinion

What are your hopes for 2023 as a business?

Our hopes for 2023 are continuing growth and some degree of sanity to return to pricing as margins are becoming a challenge at times.

Do you think your customers will be altering their buying habits during the continued cost of living crisis?

We haven’t really noticed that customers are changing habits and I think that what a customer wants a customer gets one way or another.

How has the cost-of-living crisis effected your own business, for example, the cost of running your store?

We have definitely had an increase in overheads since the start of the year. Utilities especially have increased dramatically. Are your customers running research online prior to purchase and expecting larger discounts or pricematching from you?

Yes, they are on both counts, price matches are becoming more frequent which normally affects margin, which in turn negatively affects the business.

What do you feel will be your largest challenge this year?

There will be many challenges this year but the main one will be obtaining a reasonable level of profit as I have a feeling that difficult times for some will lead to more price cutting. Also, staffing is an issue as it seems that many people do not seem to want to work. What type of support would you like to see your

suppliers giving you throughout 2023?

Most of our suppliers are excellent and we do have some really good reps/agents but some suppliers could do with ensuring that all their retailers respect their brand and products.

Shop floor discounts would also help and in a few cases better after sales.

Do you feel there will be a particular nursery product category that will be trending this year, or perhaps a colourway, products with eco credentials, etc.?

Although there will be a growing focus on ECO products, I don’t think that much will change apart from a drift away from Grey.

How will you be utilising social media throughout 2023? Do you feel this will give your business a higher level of success to bring customer awareness and drive footfall or visits to your website?

We have been for quite a while and will continue to use social media throughout the year, it’s imperative for visibility especially with offers.

As a business, what would you say will be your main strategy for the year ahead?

We will focus on sustained growth, managing margin and containing overhead as best we can.

Do you have any exciting plans this year that you would like to share with Nursery Today readers?

We don’t have anything specific but will continue with the constant upgrading of the store and continue our search for affordable warehousing.

Nursery Today spoke to W H Watts & Sons owner Gary Watts to find out his thoughts on the year ahead as an independent nursery retailer.

Great value and comfort

for new parents

With a large, padded, fully reclinable seat the beautiful MB200 Travel Systems are a perfect solution for your growing little one. A large extendable canopy and padded seat insert make for a comfy ride. The height adjustable handle, large shopping basket and compact fold all help to make this a great solution for parents.

Suitable from birth, the seat reclines right back and has an adjustable leg support so your little one can sit, or lay back in total comfort, shaded from the sun and elements by a large extendable 3 position UPF canopy. Suspension all round and single front wheels means the ride is super smooth, and height adjustable handles mean you can push in comfort too.

The basket is large and there is a handy pocket at the back of the hood for your phone (or snacks!) and a viewing window so you can maintain a visual on your precious cargo. This lightweight stroller comes with a free cosy footmuff, cup holder and rain cover so that if you are strolling and it starts to rain, this has you covered!

Included is a bassinet and a Group 0+ car seat, both of which can attach to the pushchair frame with adaptors that are included.

Available in six different designs including their classical rose gold and blush, rose gold and navy from Billie Faiers and their more recent designs from

Dani Dyer in a striking pink animal print and a blue giraffe print. With an RRP of just £399.99 for the whole travel system it is hard to beat!

MB250 Travel System – Style and practicality that go hand in hand.

The My Babiie MB250 Travel System has a distinctive, stylish frame and a seat unit that can be both parent and world facing. Perfect for all trips out, the strollers are abundant with features being lightweight and so easy to push, even with one hand, they have a large basket and a height adjustable handle.

With a bassinet and Group 0+ Car Seat included you will have all you need for your little ones first journey. Both the bassinet and car seat can be attached to the stroller frame with the adaptors supplied. The infant carrier is compatible with the My Babiie Isofix Base (sold separately) so you can be safe in the knowledge that when travelling in a vehicle your little one is safe and secure.

The My Babiie MB200 Travel System is one of My Babiie’s longest standing products that has been a popular favourite for new parents for many years.

The My Babiie MB250 Travel System has a distinctive, stylish frame and a seat unit that can be both parent and world facing.

iSize Car Seats –Coming soon!

My Babiie are excited to announce the arrival of their new iSize car seat range launching January 2023.

The team at My Babiie have been working hard this year on the car seats for all age groups of children, from an Infant Carrier with iSize base up to a booster seat for older children. One of our favourites is their iSize Extended Rear Facing Spin Car seat which is suitable from birth right up to 150cm. It has easy installation using Isofix and support leg, has side impact protection, a removable newborn insert and 5 recline positions. And in true My Babiie style it comes in 3 stunning fashions!

For rainy days, My Babiie also have you covered as a handy raincover for the stroller comes with the Travel System. If you want a rain cover for the car seat and bassinet these can be purchased separately. Currently the MB250 Travel System is available in two stylish fashions; in beautiful quilted black fabrics and in a giraffe print, both on a sleek rose gold coloured frame. Priced at a very competitive £369.99 it is amazing value for money.

MB500 Belgravia Travel System –Luxurious with effortless style

The Belgravia Travel System is one of My Babiie’s most premium products with a modern sleek looking frame. The Belgravia has a few updates, such as single front swivel wheels for an ultimately smooth ride, which makes walking effortless and smooth, and the added option of being able to lock them in place is an added bonus!

The height adjustable push handles are so quick and easy to adjust and make the stroller suit parents of any height. The quilted melange fabrics and the metal tubing around the canopy of both the stroller and the bassinet really elevated the premium look and feel of the product. The fabrics used are soft to the touch yet they are durable and luxurious. With

everything you need included in the bundle, new parents will be ready to go. As well as the beautiful stroller which can be both parent and world facing you receive a bassinet, Group 0+ car seat & adaptors set, rain cover and a cosy footmuff. There are

currently 6 different designs to choose from with more in the pipeline for later in 2023. Being the most expensive My Babiie travel system at £599.99 it is still good value and cheaper than many comparable brands on the market.

To find out more visit mybabiie.com or

The Belgravia has a few updates, such as single front swivel wheels for an ultimately smooth ride, which makes walking effortless and smooth, and the added option of being able to lock them in place is an added bonus!

retailer opinion

Do you think your customers will be altering their buying habits during the continued cost of living crisis?

Yes, we do think we’ll see in a shift in customers buying habits, as we anticipate people will be looking to spend less on products than they previously would, searching for good value and savings where possible.

How has the cost-of-living crisis effected your own business, for example, the cost of running your store?

As all businesses across the UK, the cost of living has had some impact on our business but luckily nothing too major. We have however seen an increase in footfall in comparison to previous pandemic affected years.

Are your customers running research online prior to purchase and expecting larger discounts or pricematching from you?

We’ve found that customers are now shopping around for the best deal and we don’t blame them! We offer a price match service to ensure our customers are always getting the best price. We have seen increase in the use of buy now, pay later across purchases of over £500, as people are trying to spread the cost.

What do you feel will be your largest challenge this year?

The biggest challenge of the year will be ensuring supply chains remain stable. Global shipping has been affected by the pandemic and has created a big challenge for us as a business. We are seeing some return to normality but this on-going and will continue to be monitored by our internal team.

What type of support would you like to see your

suppliers giving you throughout 2023?

The suppliers in the baby and nursery industry are great to work with, in times of need they are supportive and provide flexible options that suit all types of retailers. No matter what problem, small or large they are always there to help which is great!

Do you feel there will be a particular nursery product category that will be trending this year, or perhaps a colourway, products with eco credentials, etc.?

Products based on value will thrive this year as consumers cut back on spending and focus more on good quality and value for money. How will you be utilising social media throughout 2023? Do you feel this will give your business a higher level of success to bring customer awareness and drive footfall or visits to your website?

The business is focussing on ensuring we create strong, engaging content for our audience groups. We feel parents, especially first-time parents need good advice and content to make the right purchasing decisions as it can be quite overwhelming.

As a business, what would you say will be your main strategy for the year ahead?

We will continue to drive our digital strategy forward by adapting to the current climate and enhancing the strength of the Kiddies Kingdom brand across the UK.

Do you have any exciting plans this year that you would like to share with Nursery Today readers?

There is always something going on at Kiddies Kingdom, make sure to follow us on our social media channels to keep up to date with anything new and exciting.

Nursery Today spoke to Kiddies Kingdom’s Commercial Manager Mohammed Dalal, to find out his thoughts on the year ahead as an independent nursery retailer.

supplier snapshot

Nursery Today spoke to Cosatto’s CEO Andrew Kluge and Ergobaby’s Marketing Manager Holly Brewer to find out their thoughts on the year ahead.

Andrew Kluge

COSATTO

What are your hopes for 2023 as a business?

A nice bit of stability would be nice! It’s been a rollercoaster few years with everything going on in the world as well as in the UK. A period of calm, predictable trading would be really welcome. We can dream, eh?

What do you feel will be your largest challenge this year?

Plate spinning! As always, here at Cosatto we have lots of exciting projects in the pipeline. That comes with its own challenges, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.

What type of support are you hoping to provide your retail partners throughout 2023? Continued marketing support and ongoing communications. We love to visit stores and support our retailers with regular product training sessions, plus keep in touch through our retailer Facebook page. We’ll also be hosting events throughout the year so our retailers can get exciting first looks at our new ranges.

How will you be utilising social media throughout 2023? Do you feel this will give your business a higher level of success to bring awareness to your brand and product ranges?

We’ll be utilising social media in a more community focussed way, homing in on what our existing followers and new audiences want to see from us. We’ll be building on our user generated content through our customers and influencers.

Do you have any exciting plans or new product launches on the horizon this year that you would like to share with Nursery Today readers?

Yes – we have lots of exciting products, patterns and collaborations in the pipeline. One range we’re particularly excited about is our new Silhouette range. I think a lot of our retailers may be surprised to see a jet-black design from Cosatto, however the range is still bursting with Cosatto personality.

Holly Brewer

ERGOBABY

What are your hopes for 2023 as a business? 2023 is set to be a busy and exciting year for Ergobaby! We’re already working hard alongside our retailers and partners to establish Ergobaby within the home category with our Evolve collection, whilst driving awareness on our core baby ranges including our Embrace, Omni Dream and Omni Breeze carries.  Plans are also in place to celebrate our 20-year anniversary and rich babywearing heritage with an exclusive carrier later in the year.

What type of support are you hoping to provide your retail partners throughout 2023? First and foremost will be continuing to provide our retailers with a great range of thoughtfully designed parenting essentials that make parents and caregivers’ lives easier. We will also continue to offer support via our Partner Hub and Training Academy which will lift your teams’ skills to the next level and provide frequent updates to ensure that you always have the latest news on our products and brand. Intuitive and user friendly, it can be accessed at a time that is convenient for you and your business. And while it will never replace the benefits of face-to-face contact, the added value and accessibility of the Hub provides all the tools for successful sales!

Do you feel there will be a particular nursery product category that will be trending this year, or perhaps a colourway or products with eco credentials, etc.?

In response to the current living crisis, products need to work harder and last longer. Products that are multifunctional and last across key developmental milestones will perform the best, above those belonging solely to short-term trends, and parents will prioritise credible brands who offer these products. A movement towards brands and products with strong eco credentials is also here to stay, we only see this becoming more universally important to parents as time goes on and have been dedicating resources towards measuring, managing, and improving our product design and materials, healthy and safe supply chains, our carbon footprint and keeping our products in use.

How will you be utilising social media throughout 2023? Do you feel this will give your business a higher level of success to bring awareness to your brand and product ranges?

Social media is a vital way of increasing consumer awareness of products and educating them in an engaging and stimulating way. Following the success of our recent Metro+ campaign we will be continuing our influencer marketing programme, launching on new and emerging social platforms, using social media for data insights, and continuing to offer our customers educational advice, tips, and valuable content from across the parenting sphere.

Do you have any exciting plans or new product launches on the horizon this year that you would like to share with Nursery Today readers?

Our first innovation this year is the second product in our Evolve Home Collection – the Evolve 3-in-1 Highchair. From infancy through the toddler years and beyond,  little ones can join in at the table to eat with the family, get crafty, or become budding sous chefs on their kitchen helper. Thoughtfully selected and beautifully designed materials ensure the ultimate in support, function, and safety through every stage of growth. We also have some exciting news coming soon from our award-winning Metro+ strollers, watch this space!

Maternal instinct

Expectant mums today are savvy when it comes to products that offer assistance during and after pregnancy and will seek out products that are promoted well, have endorsement from a source they recognise and consider a products function perhaps even after birth. With this being a time where, perhaps more so for first-time parents, information is often sourced online, with social media and influencers perhaps holding a strong key to the decisions that are made with regards to purchases.

Pregnancy for the vast majority is a wonderful time, however it can highlight several problems. For example, restless nights as the baby bump grows, discomfort for some while driving, and a natural anxiety about the growing baby. It doesn’t end there, there is also perhaps a time pre-birth while being pregnant when mums will also turn to breastfeeding bra’s early (which in turn will bring attention to breastfeeding and how best to express) and clothing that will offer support also to their growing stomach for day-to-day comfort.

We spoke to Laninoh’s UK Marketing Manager, Lisa Cravan and Fraupow’s Founder Sunita Boyes to find out their thoughts on this product sector and highlight products that are available to order now on the following pages.

Sunita

Boyes – Fraupow

Expectant mums have so many anxieties during their pregnancy, is breastfeeding one of the major concerns?

Feeding their baby is one of the primary concerns of expectant Mums. Once the baby has safely arrived they know they will need to quickly learn how best to feed it to keep it healthy and happy. It’s a lot of pressure! Mums hear a lot of horror stories about both breast and bottle feeding, and a lot of conflicting advice, but they just want to do the best for their baby. Once parents hear how regularly a newborn baby feeds they often wonder how on earth they will fit all those feeds in, whilst still doing everything else they need and want to do. Fraupow are realistic about the demands on today’s busy Mums and aim to offer a solution that embraces and supports every part of Mum as a breastfeeding woman, a caring Mother and a person who has her own life. As well as practical and reliable products, Fraupow offer free qualified midwife support to Mums during pregnancy and beyond, so that they can get trusted answers to their questions and reassurance from a healthcare professional.

Are we seeing an increase in demand for hands-free pumps?

Hands-free breast pumps have risen in popularity in the past 5 years, with market leaders paving the way with a pump priced at over £250.

With the rising cost of living, Mums are keen to ensure that the products that they buy offer value as well as quality. That is why the Fraupow hands-free breast pump is perfectly positioned to meet the demands of today’s new Mum. Fraupow has secured listings with over 70 retailers, including leading names such as Boots, John Lewis, Jojo Maman Bebe and Babies R Us. They also have an established direct to consumer e-commerce site, and loyal and engaged followers on social media including various celebrity Mums.

What benefits can retailers expect by stocking this type of

Coffee Break

Lisa Craven - Lansinoh

As a leading brand in products for pre and post birth supporting mums for nearly 40 years, what do you feel are the main concerns of expectant or new mothers?

New and expectant mums are entering a period of their life they’ve never experienced before, so they’re eager for expert information that helps navigate through this next life stage. They are concerned about preparing for birth, post-partum recovery, and being able to breastfeed successfully to name just a few.

How do your products assist to ease these concerns?

Our Birth Preparation & Recovery range was launched to help mums prepare for birth and support them in their recovery journey, enabling them to comfortably enjoy their time with their new baby. Our award winning Post-Birth Wash Bottle and Cold and Warm Relief Pads are both designed to help aid in perineal recovery after giving birth. These have been popular with new mums in the early stages post-birth, providing soothing relief and helping mums to be more comfortable as they navigate their new routine with a newborn. Following birth, and once into the initial stages of breastfeeding, our multi award-winning HPA Lanolin nipple cream is designed to help soothe sore and cracked nipples, to help support them to breastfeed for longer. For those mums who want to express their breastmilk, Lansinoh also offers a range of manual and electric breast pumps, award-winning Milk Storage Bags so mums can safely store her expressed milk, and a wide selection of bottles and teats designed to avoid nipple confusion.

Do you work alongside health professionals to give solid advice to new parents?

As a brand, Lansinoh has always worked closely with Healthcare Professionals to provide expert advice alongside our trusted products. We support UK Healthcare Professionals to further their knowledge on key topics related to preparing for birth, breastfeeding & the 4th trimester via our CPD modules. We’re also proud to offer a free of charge Live Midwife Chat service via our website, giving pregnant and new mums the opportunity to access a healthcare professional when they need advice quickly, 7 days a week.

How do you bring awareness to your range to the consumer?

Recommendation from friends and family is of huge importance to new mums, and as we have been on the UK market for decades, we are now seeing mums being recommended our product from their mothers, which shows the rich trust and heritage we have carefully cultivated. Additionally, we work very closely with Healthcare Professionals, as well as key industry platforms such as Emma’s Diary to communicate to our core audience. We see significant organic recommendation through influencers on all social platforms, and invest in our content on these channels too, driving awareness and engagement.

Do you feel that Lansinoh are a ‘one shop stop’ for all products within this category – are there any further developments on the horizon?

product?

Retailers stock the Fraupow pump because it meets the needs of the shopper who wants practical features and long-lasting quality, at an affordable price point. With its celebrity endorsement, free midwife support, multiple awards, great reviews and price ticket of less than £100 the Fraupow Wearable Pump draws customers in and ensures a quicker and easier conversion than similar products priced at over £200, which are hard to commit to when bills are soaring with no end in sight.

Understanding mums’ needs is key for this category. At Lansinoh, we’re passionate about caring for mums, and as many of us are parents ourselves, we seek to understand the pinch points of the journey into motherhood and aim to produce products to service this need. Once a mum has discovered a brand she loves and trusts, it can be reassuring when that same brand offers a variety of products which can help them throughout their entire perinatal journey. We segment our products into five categories – Birth Prep and Recovery, Care, Pump, Store and Feed, to support mums when navigating our range. We have some innovative new launches coming this year too – with our new Maternity Pads launching this February, and some brilliant new products on the horizon later this year.

There are huge benefits to be made by stocking products in-store for when baby arrives but what about mum during her pre and postnatal stages?

Cold & Warm Post-Birth Relief

Awarded Gold in the Loved by Parents Awards 2022, Lansinoh’s innovative Cold & Warm Post-Birth Relief Pads are used for soothing comfort and relieving pain after delivery.

Made with TheraPearl ColorSmart Technology, these after-birth pads can be used cold to provide relief from perineal, haemorrhoidal or C-section discomfort. Or used warm, the pads can be applied to the abdomen for soothing relief from postnatal uterine cramping commonly experienced after birth. Safe for postpartum use and while breastfeeding, the soothing pad effectively moulds to the body and stays flexible after freezing.  www.lansinoh.co.uk

Preventing seat belt danger to unborn babies with Clippasafe

For pregnant women, seat belts positioned over the abdomen are not only uncomfortable, but also pose a significant risk to a foetus in the event of an abrupt stop. The pressure of the seat belt can cause significant harm and even be life threatening to the unborn infant, as it is absorbed through the abdomen and womb instead of the hips.

The Bump Belt from Clippasafe is a simple yet effective way to protect unborn babies from the danger posed by a seatbelt in the event of a vehicle collision. It is designed to reduce the movement of seat belts over the abdomen, avoiding the need for constant re-positioning - keeping both mum and unborn infant safe.

Suitable for use from two months pregnant and up to birth, the Bump Belt is used with a regular seat belt to help keep the strap in the safest place for mother and baby.

www.clippasafe.co.uk

Snüz has your back

Snüz has pulled on its expertise in sleep to support mums-to-be with its recently launched pregnancy pillow.

The innovative SnüzCurve has been meticulously designed by a team of respected health experts including Midwives, Chiropractors, Health Visitors and Physios, to ensure pregnant women are sleeping correctly and comfortably. The uniquely shaped pillow seamlessly curves around the pregnant figure and growing bump, and thanks to its innovative KneeBlade design, guides mums-to-be into the correct sleeping position. Taking the pressure off hips, legs and ankles, it also supports the upper body, creates a neutral spine posture, relieves pressure on the bump and ultimately keeps mums-to-be comfy.  01789 734 022    trade@greensheepgroup.com  www.snuz.co.uk

An Essential for Pregnancy and Beyond

The Mother&Baby 12ft Deluxe Body and Baby Support Pillow is a maternity must-have.

This super-sized pregnancy pillow provides support and comfort for a mum’s growing bump.

This deluxe body support pillow is encased in a GOTS certified organic cotton cover, meaning it’s free from any nasty harmful chemicals. Along with being a sleep essential, the pillow can be used as a back support and, when their new arrival arrives, as a feeding support. The pillow’s uses don’t end there – as this multipurpose pillow can help baby with tummy time.

sales@cuddleco.co.uk

Iconic branding

Lansinoh HPA Lanolin Nipple Cream

Comfortable nursing

The updated Ergobaby Nursing Pillow maximises comfort for both parent and baby to ensure the perfect ergonomic position for easy feeding and tummy time.

The two-sided nursing pillow is supple but firm and now improved with a buckled strap to secure it in place. It can be used in various positions along baby’s ages and stages, to perfectly grow with baby through five uses. The Ergobaby Nursing Pillow is designed with premium, machinewashable materials, and now features more sustainable, compressed packaging to support our sustainability efforts and CO2 reduction initiatives. service@ergobaby.co.uk www.ergobaby.co.uk

Fraupow Introduces Upgraded Wearable Pump

Fraupow meet the demands of budget conscious Mums by adding even more impressive features to their affordable pump. With the UK focussed on the cost of living crisis, new parents are thinking carefully about their must have baby products, and seeking out options which offer quality and extended usability at a comfortable price point.

Fraupow has established itself as the go to option for affordable wireless breast pumps at less than half the price of the leading brand. They have always competed like for like on features, but in order to meet consumer demand and offer even greater benefit they are now introducing an upgraded wireless model which stands out from the competition and will tempt shoppers with its fantastic price point.

The upgraded Fraupow Pump, launching January 2023, will include: - extended size range

- full LED screen

- four modes

- 1000 mAh battery for extended usage - up to 100 minutes

Unique to Fraupow, each Upgraded Pump purchase comes bundled with three x 1-2-1 online consultation sessions with a qualified midwife, worth £140, to offer support to Mums at any point during pregnancy or the first year.

UK distributors - Hippychick Ltd: sales@hippychick.com www.fraupow.com

retailer opinion

What are your hopes for 2023 as a business?

We hope that we continue to see new excited parents-to-be come through our doors with such enthusiasm and joy, and that more and more families in our area discover our services. During the pandemic many people kept repeating the phrase “be kind”; and we hope for 2023 that people remember this sentiment and try to include that thinking in their shopping experiences.

Do you think your customers will be altering their buying habits during the continued cost of living crisis?

We have already seen it start to happen. People are being more cautious with what they spend their money on, making sure it’s really worth it. We do think however you will still see customers who prioritise things like baby clothes and luxury changing bags, rather than safety items like car seats - so feel that we need to be prepared with a variety of price points for this reason.

How has the cost-of-living crisis effected your own business, for example, the cost of running your store?

We have seen electricity costs quadruple, luckily we installed a more cost-effective/efficient lighting and heating system last September so hopefully we will see a benefit from having this once prices stabilise. We also think that keeping our appointment system is helping. That way we aren’t open on days where we have no customers in - we aren’t on a high street or a busy route so we don’t want to be open and lighting/ heating the store with no payoff.

Are your customers running research online prior to purchase and expecting larger discounts or price-matching from you?

We haven’t noticed any more price matching enquiries than normal. So many of our suppliers are offering fabulous January sales and savings that we can pass on to our customers, so this is working really well for us. We always have a 50/50 split with customers when it comes to research. Some want to be totally prepared and clued up, others prefer guidance without their judgement being clouded by things they’ve already read about.   What do you feel will be your largest challenge this year? Unfortunately, we feel the biggest challenge is going to be customers not shopping smartly. When we say this we mean people purchasing products because of the wrong reasons, whether that’s based purely on aesthetic/ brand name rather than functionality, or because of a great bundle price.

If a pushchair is in a cheap bundle but isn’t working for you, you’re always going to run into problems.

When customers aren’t satisfied with a product because they’ve made a poor choice it makes our aftersales process so much harder.

What type of support would you like to see your suppliers giving you throughout 2023?

We always struggle when the brands

themselves start discounting products on their own sites - yet don’t offer us the option to offer the same discounts, or similar sale prices. This means we end up being a glorified showroom when customers end up purchasing elsewhere.

Also, when it comes to aftersales a few suppliers are guilty of washing their hands of product issues, citing “the customer bought it from our store therefore it’s purely our problem” - we would appreciate more comprehensive support from suppliers when it comes to warranty claims and repairs.

Do you feel there will be a particular nursery product category that will be trending this year, or perhaps a colourway, products with eco credentials, etc.?

We do think that products with multiple uses are going to become more popular - for example multi stage car seats - due to the increased cost of living, customers will want the most out of their products.

We are seeing lots of suppliers including eco-friendly products/materials in their main ranges without price increases - and do notice that customers are impressed/interested in these options when we are demonstrating in store.

How will you be utilising social media throughout 2023? Do you feel this will give your business a higher level of success to bring customer awareness and drive footfall or visits to your website?

As always, our website is purely a window to the store, showing what we offer in store but not offering a place to purchase.

We do most of our interaction with customers via social media and this is set to continue. With the arrival of our two new grandchildren, and another grandchild due end of March, we are planning lots of social media posts/ campaigns that feature them and the products they are using. Our customers like seeing an insight into our real lives, and really connect with our family as young parents with an honest voice.

As a business, what would you say will be your main strategy for the year ahead?

Naturally, we want our business to move forward and improve, our net sales for 2022 compared to 2021 are amazing and we are so proud of that.

We do also believe in the importance of growing our business while maintaining a healthy work/life balance.

Nursery Today spoke to Whites Farm Baby Barn owner Sara Hubbard to find out her thoughts on the year ahead as an independent nursery retailer.

Essentially yours

New or expectant parents are information hungry, and we know that online research has increased in popularity with parents searching for products that are deemed as essential for baby’s arrival. Parents will focus on a variety of products, from car seats to cots, travel systems and travel essentials, monitors, changing mats/stations and bags, bedding, blankets and swaddles, entertainers, soothers, safety equipment through to nappies and skincare! Here Nursery Today shines the light on a number of products currently available within this ever-expanding essential nursery category.

All change

CuddleCo’s bestselling Bamboo Changing Mat is back in stock just in time for babies arriving in 2023!

This newborn essential is the perfect addition to changing units and tables. Its supportive memory foam inner provides maximum comfort during nappy changes. The mat features a removable changing mat cover for easy cleaning and a waterproof inner layer to protect the memory foam from moisture. Nappy leaks and accidents are no match for the CuddleCo changing mat. Made with bamboo fibres, the cover will feel super-soft against baby’s delicate skin. sales@cuddleco.co.uk

A bambini bedding collection of dreams

Tutti Bambini’s latest collection includes all the bedding essentials and nursery accessories a new parent needs.

From fitted sheets and chunky knit blankets made from 100% certified organic cotton to sleeping bags and coverlets made from incredibly soft, sustainable bamboo cotton, all machine washable and made to last. And they haven’t stopped at bedding, the range has expanded to other categories, from feeding pillows and comforters, to mobile décor and storage baskets. Falling into three stunning themes, ‘Cocoon’, ‘Run Wild’ and ‘Our Planet’ all offering something unique and designed to complement individual style.

www.tuttibambini.com

Sleep soundly

Parents can sleep soundly at night with little one close by, whether at home or on travels, with the new roomie GO from Joie.

This easy to fold, bedside sleeper is a portable powerhouse that will let parents and little ones sleep safely, side by side, without sharing a bed.

What sets roomie go aside from similar bedside cribs is the quick and easy fold that packs up conveniently into one tiny package. Compact and lightweight, roomie go is your perfect travel partner that is easy to carry and tucks away into small boots and cupboards.

Roomie GO also comes with a comfortably cushioned, yet firm mattress that is covered in a soft knit mesh so that baby can breathe easily which means a peaceful rest for parents and baby.

Tel: 01889 808 900

uksales@joiebaby.com

Get active

Offering hours of plush playtime, the Skip Hop Celestial Dreams Activity Gym features a galaxy themed playmat with plush quilting details and a crescent moon pillow for tummy time.

Five hanging toys include metallic musical star with tactile ribbons, a rattle racoon with start teether toy, wolf with chime, snow owl with crinkle and sugar glider plush. There are three ways to play from tummy time, overhead play to seated play.

www.skiphop.com

Keeping it calm

The Evolve Home Collection is a new category of Ergobaby products, created to simplify parents and carers’ lives, and grow with baby from day one.

The first product in the new collection is the Evolve 3-in-1 Bouncer. From a cosy newborn lounger, to a calming infant bouncer, to a fun toddler seat, Evolve is suitable from birth (5lb 8oz/2.5kg) to toddlerhood (29 lbs/13.2kg). Developed with guidance from a paediatric orthopaedist, the bouncer comes with a removable ergonomic newborn insert and supports baby from head to hips, creating an ergonomic M-shaped positioning in baby’s hips and helping to prevent flat head syndrome. service@ergobaby.co.uk www.ergobaby.co.uk

Wrapped in organic softness

from day one

The iconic and timeless organic baby blankets from The Little Green Sheep are ideal for keeping newborns safe and cosy.

Loved and adored for their stunning quality, simple knit design and beautiful intricate finish, the Organic Knitted Cellular Baby Blanket is breathable, super soft and lightweight, it’s perfect to wrap around baby at home and when out and about in the pram.

Available in a collection of calming tones of white, linen, navy honey and dove grey;  even better the blankets work seamlessly with the sleeping bags and bedding collection so families can create a perfectly natural and stylish sleep setting from day one.  Tel: 01789 734 022      trade@greensheepgroup.com    www.thelittlegreensheep.co.uk

Affordable safety for all

Joie is pleased to announce the latest arrival to its Signature collection – meet the i-Jemini, the most affordable premium baby car seat in the Encore Spinning System.

I-Jemini pairs with the i-Base Encore to instantly transform into a 90 spinning car seat – an ultra-smooth, one hand motion turns the seat towards you to make buckling up a breeze. When it’s time for tiny travellers to graduate to the next seat, you can up-grade to i-Harbour which works with i-Base Encore to give you years of easy ins and outs.

I-Jemini meets the newest and most advanced R129 safety approval standard, with side impact testing and i-Size certification for a guaranteed backseat fit.

Tel: 01889 808 900 | uksales@joiebaby.com

Award winning sleep

Moba, the gold award winning contemporary Moses basket is ergonomic, chic, eco-friendly and hygienic.

No more rustling noise. No more stripping the trees and toxic carbon footprint from diesel container shipping. No more nasty chemical fumigation.

Moba is patented and British made with a unique hypo-allergenic, anti microbial TPE for soft touch and easy cleaning. Strong integrated handles with over 300 ir holes. Recommended by safety experts. Long lasting and dual purpose.

Available in a range of modern colours. Contact the below for further information. hello@mobauk.com www.mobauk.com

Sweet dreams

From the sleep experts at Snüz, the super cute cloud features 4 soothing sounds including a heartbeat, pink noise, lullaby and waterfall sounds, as well as two light options: a calming pink glow & soft white night light.  Soft, plush and portable, SnüzCloud can attach to the crib, cot, pram or car seat, to help settle and sooth babies wherever they are!

Tel: 01789 734 022    trade@greensheepgroup.com     www.snuz.co.uk

Sleep is without doubt something every new parent wants more of… enter SnüzCloud, the dreamiest sleep aid around!

Fully functional

Introducing Nesta, the stylish and functional wooden highchair from Maxi-Cosi.

Nesta grows with baby and boasts a unique reclining backrest, adjustable footrest, and cocooning design to ensure comfort from birth into adulthood. It has two recline positions including a lie-flat mode for newborns to be used with the brand’s Newborn Kit, to convert it into a comfortable infant chair. It can also be positioned upright and paired with Maxi-Cosi’s Baby & Toddler Kit to create a supportive highchair for babies and can also be utilised for children to sit-up at the table. Both the Newborn and Baby & Toddler Kits are designed with Maxi-Cosi EcoCare and feature premium recycled fabrics to cocoon your baby. Nesta is built from Beechwood with minimal plastics, giving it a modern, yet classic design which offers a longevity of use.

Uk-sales@doreleurope.com | www.maxi-cosi.co.uk

Side by side

Graco’s Side-by-Side is a portable bedside bassinet that offers a contemporary alternative to the Moses basket.

This 2-in-1 crib is Graco’s most versatile infant sleep and nap solution from bedside to sofa-side.

Keeping them close

Meet Maxi-Cosi Alba, the stylish all-in-one bassinet, seat and highchair, designed to keep little ones close whatever parents are doing.

It can be used from birth up until the age of 3 years old and has five swivelling wheels to allow swift mobility throughout the home. The height can be adjusted by a handy pedal to have baby at eye level or to keep them out of reach of pets. The mattress is also dual-sided, one made of soft jersey fabric for optimum comfort and the other side from fabrics which are virtually waterproof. This means that parents are covered for those unexpected nappy leaks. Both the mattress and the inner cover can be easily removed for machine washing for when little ones have any accidents and spills. Alba is made Maxi-Cosi EcoCare, meaning that it is with 100% recycled fabrics and 53 plastic bottles make the fabric cover.

Uk-sales@doreleurope.com www.maxi-cosi.co.uk

The stand-alone crib is unlike many bassinets on the market because it has been purposely designed to be portable. Set at the optimum height to keep baby close at bedtime, Side-by-Side also transforms into a travel-sized infant bed by simply removing the lower legs to become a portable cot.

Additional features include vented easy-view mesh panels for improved airflow; a one-handed, one-action fold activated from either side of the crib; a compact, lie-flat fold; a large storage basket; removable quilted padded mattress; and a carry bag.  uksales@allisonbaby.co.uk www.gracobaby.eu/uk

Great for family dining

The Café Highchair from East Coast is a classically shaped highchair, and the simple shape without a tray means it can be pulled close to the table, so baby can join in with family mealtimes.

It’s suitable for use from around 6 months and includes a full safety harness. Café Highchairs can be stacked for storage, making them ideal for restaurants, cafés, hotels, busy childminders or parents with two or more young children.

For smaller or younger babies, they recommend the use of a Highchair Insert Cushion, for additional comfort and support.

Made with solid rubberwood in a natural wood finish, to complement any home.

Tel: 01692 408802 nursery@east-coast.co.uk www.eastcoastnursery.co.uk

Adjustable positions

Red Kite has many products and ranges suitable for newborns but one of their recent new additions is going down a storm with new parents.

The Baya Bouncer is a natural bouncer that baby can control as they gain strength in their limbs with full back support for young babies with a padded and quilted seat unit. Adjustable lie back positions to change as baby grows and can also be fully folded flat for handy storage. Includes a detachable toy bar with simple first toys for baby to play with. Available in two soft colour options, Dove Grey and Blush.

Tel: 01454 326 562

wwwredkitebaby.com

supplier snapshot

Jayne Stringer

LANSINOH

What are your hopes for 2023 as a business?

2023 is a hugely important year for Lansinoh as we continue our mission to support mums, maintain our position as the go-to brand for breastfeeding, and elevate our status within maternal health and peri-natal support. We have some exciting product launches planned, expanding some of our alreadysuccessful ranges and we look forward to bringing them to market with our retail partners.

Do you think consumers will be altering their buying habits during the continued cost of living crisis?

It’s clear that consumers across all categories are looking to make their money go further with minimal sacrifice to their needs. We’re all being more resourceful and shopping around to find the best price available and make savings on certain products to spend on others. Having said that, consumer research shows that value is more important to new mums than the cheapest price, with trust and efficacy of the product being key decision makers within our category.

What type of support are you hoping to provide your retail partners throughout 2023?

Despite the economic challenges, Lansinoh will continue to work closely with our retailers and supply partners, building business plans collaboratively through our longstanding partnerships and ensuring new mums can access the products that really support them when they need them. We’ve also invested in some insightful consumer research which has indicated some key areas of opportunity which will drive incremental growth for our retailers, which we’re keen to implement throughout the year.

How will you be utilising social media throughout 2023? Do you feel this will give your business a higher level of success to bring awareness to your brand and product ranges?

Social media continues to be a source of advice, support, and community for new mums, so it remains an integral part of our 2023 strategy. Instagram provides us with a huge reach to new mums, and we see good levels of engagement through the supportive, advice-led content we produce which will continue through 2023.

As a business, what would you say will be your main strategy for the year ahead?

Our mission has always been to support new mums in the best possible way throughout their peri-natal journey. Our strategy for this year will continue to build on that promise through expert-led support, advice, and education, and delivering high-quality, innovative products and solutions to help prepare mums for birth, aid her recovery, and support her breastfeeding journey.

Do you have any exciting plans or new product launches on the horizon this year that you would like to share with Nursery Today readers?

We’re looking forward to our launch of Maternity Pads next monthadding to our award-winning Birth Preparation & Recovery range and giving mums a post-birth solution that keeps them protected and supported when they need it most. Our user trials showed strong results, and we’re proud to bring another product to market that supports and empowers new mums as they begin their new journey into motherhood.

Luisa RollinsSvensson

GRACO

What are your hopes for 2023 as a business?

We have high hopes for 2023.  We’ve got new baby gear launches that will see us strengthen our product portfolio across categories including strollers, car seats and in-home products, such as swings and soothers. We’re also going to continue to focus on raising the profile of the Graco brand to connect with our audience through our ongoing brand campaigns. As part of this, we will be building on the success of the Graco Village, our online resource to equip parents with advice and support on the 4th Trimester – the 12 weeks post-partum.  Of course, we’ll be sharing all this excitement with our partners at major retailers, independents and key supermarkets across the UK.

Do you think consumers will be altering their buying habits during the continued cost of living crisis?

Yes, we are expecting consumers to spend less and make more considered purchases. Many parents will be looking for baby products that offer greater longevity. With the cost of living increasing, consumers are looking for affordable baby gear that won’t let them down. Graco stands for great quality products at an exceptional price.  We’re proud that we have products, such as our SlimFit car seat, that are suitable from birth to 12 years, and represent incredible value for money.

How will you be utilising social media throughout 2023? Do you feel this will give your business a higher level of success to bring awareness to your brand and product ranges?

Social media is a key channel for the Graco brand and the audience that we wish to appeal to. Our customers are increasingly using social media to connect with brands and find products to purchase. We use our social channels to develop our brand voice and personality and connect on a more personal level with our followers.  It’s also vital in our bid to provide excellent customer service.

Do you have any exciting plans or new product launches on the horizon this year that you would like to share with Nursery Today readers? 2023 is going to be a great year for Graco.  We have new products launching that we know are going to delight the market.  We continue to be intently focused on delivering quality products that offer great value for money to support parents during challenging economic times.

Nursery Today spoke to Graco’s Consumer and Trade Marketing Manager Luisa Rollins-Svensson and Lansinoh’s UK Managing Director, Jayne Stringer to find out their thoughts on the year ahead.

Barking Mad

HAPPY NEW YEAR

EVERYONE! Welcome to 2023. I have to admit, I’m really not a big fan of the whole new year thing. I just don’t understand what I should be getting excited about. Call me old and miserable but for me it’s a load of fuss over nothing. Yipppeee let’s celebrate the fact that we have another 12 months at work to look forward to. We get to become another year older and given the fact that 50 is heading towards me faster than Max Verstappen on a flying lap, you can imagine this only amplifies my feelings of dread.

Ok so there a few nice things to look forward to. Arsenal may finally be crowned Premier League champions again (it’s been a very, very long wait

for that one I can tell you), we have our summer holidays on the horizon and best of all <INSERT WINK EMOJI> we all have Harrogate in the diaries for October! Ok, I concede new year may not be that bad but can we all just stop setting off fireworks now please (think of them scared animals). As 2022 has drawn to a close I thought I’d give you a few thoughts on the market and where I think we may be this time next year (first I’m moaning about new year and now I’m fast forwarding and wishing the year away!).

2022 was always going to be a very strange year for us. No matter what trade you’re in, comparing 2022 to the previous year was never going to be simple. The previous year saw lock down lifted and the inevitable boost in trade, many of us ended 2021 on a

This month Pramland’s John Barker is taking a look back at 2022 and gives his insight of what we might expect during the course of the next 12 months.

Christmas is notoriously a quieter time in our trade so this year we all thought it may get a little scary. To my surprise we managed to have the best December ever!

john@pramland.co.uk

high thanks to increased footfall and consumer confidence. As we entered 2022 things got off to an inevitable good start, that was until Russia decided it was a good idea to invade Ukraine. This started a snowball of business issues and caused stock markets to drop, and currencies to go crazier than the crazy frog shaking his crazy thang on Ozzy Osbournes Crazy Train. Fuel prices shot up and then the media started to bombard (and I don’t use that expression lightly – it was constant!) us with tales of increasing costs. Next, food prices started to creep up due to shortages of key ingredients and the increase in fuel costs for manufacturing and distribution. What a very sad state of affairs, but one the media revelled in.

With complete disregard for the market and damage these news “stories” would create, they pounded us day after day. You’ll be paying £1milliom for a litre of petrol, granny won’t be able to afford a blanket never mind putting the heating on. The general public responded in the only way the British public knows how to. . . they bought any electric blankets and air fryers they could lay their hands on – we are a very strange little nation aren’t we? Air fryers? Really? Mrs B has a cupboard in our utility room full of the latest “must have” kitchen gadgets. . .from bread makers to blenders and

silicone cupcake trays, I put my foot down on the air fryer, and so far Mason JB is a Ninja Free zone! Night after night, morning after morning this is all we got. Consumers started to respond by “cutting back”. We found customers started to shop differently. When previously they may order around 20 weeks pregnant they simply shifted this to closer to their due date. We didn’t see them downgrade their purchases and we didn’t see a huge rush for more budget items. Customers continued to shop mid to high end but they did so over a shorter period of time.

As we approached the year end and Christmas started to loom I think we all had a little worry about how we’d all do. Christmas is notoriously a quieter time in our trade so this year we all thought it may get a little scary. To my surprise we managed to have the best December ever! But why? I think it’s because your average John and Jane on the street started Christmas shopping, buying a few extra bags of crisps and bottles of plonk and realised their fuel bills had gone up, but they could still manage. I’m not saying fuel costs haven’t changed – oh boy they’ve changed. Because I moved home in June I’m not on a fixed tariff anymore and as a result the variable tariff with Eon Next is loopy. . .but do you know what? we’ve just got on with it. And I think this is the way we Brits

We ended 2022 with the best week we’ve ever had and since then the trend seems to be continuing. Two weeks in to 2023 and so far I have to say it feels like we’ve turned a corner.

Customers seem more relaxed and likely to spend. It would appear consumer confidence is on the rise and that puts us all in a fantastic position for the next twelve months.

seem to deal with everything. The media whip us all up into a frenzied panic – we respond by buying everything in Tesco so the shelves are empty then we emerge from our hiding holes and think “actually this isn’t that bad”.

After a nice break at Christmas where I’d love to say I drank too much beer and ate too much food (I won’t say this because let’s be honest what is too much beer?) it was time to re-open. Fingers crossed you all had the same level of customers piling through your door as we did. We ended 2022 with the best week we’ve ever had and since then the trend seems to be continuing. Two weeks in to 2023 and so far I have to say it feels like we’ve turned a corner. Customers seem more relaxed and likely to spend. It would appear consumer confidence is on the rise and that puts us all in a fantastic position for the next twelve

months. Ok, so I won’t be rushing out to make any major business decisions in the short term but I think if we, as an industry can simply consolidate our business during the course of the year, get a good solid and consistent twelve months trading under our belts 2024 could be a great time to implement longer term plans and finally take a breather. Growth is wonderful but remember you can’t grow every year. Sometimes business contracts, this is normal given the economic climate. Just ensure you maintain margin and you come out the other side ready. If 2023 can see us all at least stand still next year we can focus on growing and getting back to what we all do best (which for me is drinking).

Until next time, I wish you all a busy January and I’ll see you all in February – as usual please refrain from sending Valentine Day cards as Mrs B does get a little jealous.

Cabin-ready, compact design

The Ergobaby Metro+ stroller has all the comfort of a full-size stroller in a cabin-ready ultra-compact design (weighing just 7.8 kg and folding with one hand to 54cm x 44cm x 25cm), making it the ideal fit for parents on the go who don’t want to sacrifice comfort for convenience.

The Metro+’s ergonomic bucket seat and 175 degree near-flat recline make it useable from newborn to toddler with no accessory. Arriving ready-built to save time and energy, parents can simply unpack, unfold and get going. The Metro+ is also the only stroller on the market certified ‘back-healthy’ by the AGR.

service@ergobaby.co.uk www.ergobaby.co.uk

The Perfect Travel

Companion

The transition from flying to sightseeing is simple and easy with the Doona Car Seat and Stroller. Doona is TUV and FAA aircraft approved for travel. Meaning baby can stay safe and secure while flying. It also conveniently fits down most aeroplane aisles, making it the perfect travel companion. Parents arriving at their holiday destination can avoid any unnecessary stress in the airport as, with a click of a button, the car seat transitions into a stroller.

sales@cuddleco.co.uk

Pump on the go!

Lansinoh’s Manual Breast Pump provides a portable and convenient option for breastfeeding mums who want to express while on the move, as it doesn’t require batteries or electricity.

The ergonomic handle means the pump can be used with one hand without placing any strain on mum’s wrist. It also features a unique ComfortFit breast cushion that creates a secure seal which makes expressing not only more efficient, but also more comfortable. A unique stand is included which keeps the pump bottle stable during and after expressing. www.lansinoh.co.uk

Bladeless stroller fan

An innovative gadget designed to keep baby cool when out and about, this universal stroller fan attaches to most strollers.

The Stroll & Connect hub system easily clips-on to the stroller, and can be moved to rotate at different positions and angles for maximum effect. Features include a bladeless fan design, three speed settings, a rechargeable fan with a USB cord and rechargeable battery.   It’s also friendly for little fingers, making it super safe for babies and toddlers. An Innovation Award Winner at Kind and Jugend 2022 – this is a must-have gadget for parents. www.skiphop.com

Staycation, vacation, day trip or popping to the shops – here’s a great selection of products available for parents when out and about.

i-Jemini

i-Size baby car seat

birth to 85 cm, ≤ 13 kg

The i-Jemini™ meets the highest ECE R129 safety standard with i-Size enhancement and pairs with the i-Base™ Encore for a smooth 90° spin. Part of the Encore Spinning System™, the i-Jemini™ grows from birth to approx 4 years when using the i-Harbour as your toddler seat.

For more information & all sale enquiries, please contact Joie on 01889 808 900 or email: uksales@joiebaby.com

Perfectly compact

Parcel is the newest stroller on the block, from Joie Signature, and means no more heaving and hefting – weighing in at just 6.9kg, this welterweight wonder is designed to roll for years and is effortless to lift and store.

Made for when your hands are full and your storage is limited, parcel will quickly fold making it perfect for tucking in small spaces or carrying on public transport. The extended usage lets you think long term, giving growing travellers a comfy seat all the way up to 22kg. With 3 ways to roll in one, incorporating carry cot, infant carrier and world facing modes, this is the only stroller you’ll need for the years of adventures ahead.

With 4 recline options, parcel has the perfect position for little one, whether they want to lie flat and sleep, kick back and relax or sit up and take in the sights, you can fine tune the seat to meet their needs.

Tel: 01889 808 900 uksales@joiebaby.com

Tutti Bambini’s Latest Addition

Meet CoZee Go, the ultimate travel essential.

This 3-in-1 Bassinet, Travel Cot and Playpen is lightweight, compact and folds away easily, it can be assembled within 60 seconds and includes a carry case for easy transportation. Designed to grow with the baby, the CoZee Go can be used from newborn due to the detachable bassinet insert, or as a floor level cot once the baby has outgrown the bassinet mode. Sleep or play, the CoZee Go can also double up as a playpen! Compatible blackout and sunshade cover available as add-on to help babies adapt to bright or unfamiliar places, whilst providing UV protection of 50+.   www.tuttibambini.com

Car seat or carrycot

Doubling as a car seat and a carrycot – the CARI next from Nuna is perfect for travelling with baby.

The super comfortable CARI next allows baby to lay peacefully at a full recline - the best position for a developing spine.

The car seat features an organic jersey mattress, infant inserts that add comfort, a three-point harness that adds security and a lightweight and resilient shell with integrated EPP foam for maximized energy absorption on impact.

The carrycot style car seat must be used with Nuna’s BASE next – which is compatible with all Nuna’s NEXT system car seats.

With the CARI next you can travel from home, to car, to pushchair and their sleep won’t be interrupted as they lie flat.

Contact Steven Smith, Brand Manager Nuna UK for more information. Steven.Smith@nunababy.com

Travel Cot into

fold  FoldLite, Graco’s lightweight, yet functionloaded, pop-up travel cot works hard in the home and on trips away.

Weighing 6.78kg, it is 30 per cent lighter than Graco’s traditional travel cots. The cleverly designed dual fold function features a ‘Home Fold’ - quick up and down action that reduces to a 26cm wide fold - and a ‘Travel Fold’ which is even more compact.

The added benefits of two wheels for easy manoeuvrability and a convenient carry bag, are why FoldLite is becoming a firm favourite to use around the home and on family trips away. uksales@allisonbaby.co.uk www.gracobaby.eu/uk

Graco welcomes its lightest

the

Introducing

Everyday travel companion

Award-winning compact stroller that faces and folds both ways, packs up in seconds, and quickly converts to an agile travel system for everyday life on-the-go.

Ultra compact for travel

Introducing the ultra-compact and lightweight addition to the Maxi-Cosi pushchair range, Lara².

Ideal for urban families who are always on the move and need that extra bit of space and convenience, Lara² is suitable from birth to approximately 4 years old (22kg) and weighs just 6.4kg.

It has a shoulder strap allowing it to be carried easily, and also boasts an easy one-hand flash fold, meaning it can be opened or collapsed with minimal effort.

Not only does it feature three recline positions with lie flat for relaxing naps on the move, it also has two storage baskets so parents will always have everything to hand. Made with premium, breathable mesh fabrics for a cool and comfortable ride for baby, Lara² is also compatible with selected Maxi-Cosi car seats to be used as a complete travel system.

Uk-sales@doreleurope.com www.maxi-cosi.co.uk

Affordable and lightweight

Maxi-Cosi CabrioFix i-Size is an upgrade on the brand’s best-loved infant carrier car seat to ensure that it’s in line current i-Size regulations.

As an affordable, extremely lightweight i-Size infant carrier, CabrioFix i-Size doesn’t compromise on safety. Weighing in at just 3.2kg, it is suitable for use from birth up to 12 months and has been designed for both safety and convenience for parent and baby.

Complying with the latest i-Size (R129) car seat legislation, CabrioFix i-Size contains impactabsorbing materials within the seat offering increased safety in the event of a side impact collision.

Thanks to the comfortable inlay, parents have the peace of mind that their little one is in a cosy environment with optimum safety.

Used with the CabrioFix i-Size Base (RRP £139.99), CabrioFix i-Size can be installed with ISOFIX for a simple click-and-go system on the move. Parents can also use the CabrioFix i-Size with Maxi-Cosi’s capsule pushchair collection to form part of a convenient travel system.

Uk-sales@doreleurope.com www.maxi-cosi.co.uk

Great travel selection

Red Kite has a strong reputation for supplying essential travel accessories to make travelling with a baby and toddler a doddle.

Red Kite’s award winning Ara Carrier is a fantastic value 3 position padded carrier that is fully endorsed by the Hip Dysplasia Institute and is jam packed with features.

The Travel Booster is a simple and handy item to take when visiting on the go and makes eating out with a young toddler so much easier!

They also have sun parasols, harness and reins, On the Go Travel Mat and changing mats all with the Red Kite value for money.

Tel: 01454 326 562 wwwredkitebaby.com

Fuss free options

Nuna’s two latest launches are designed to make life on the move with baby fuss-free.

The TRIV next is an urban pushchair that quickly converts to a travel system, packs up easily and stands on its own when folded.

Engineered for convenience and comfort, the all-wheel suspension, one-touch braking system, and large rear wheels promise easy manoeuvrability and cushioned smooth city strolls.

This compact fold pushchair is cleverly designed with a seat that faces and folds both ways, no matter what direction the baby is facing. The all-season seat keeps your precious cargo snug in winter and converts to breathable mesh in summer, while the rain cover provides extra protection no matter the weather.

The CUDL clik 4-in-1 is an ergonomic baby carrier that provides hands-free freedom whilst out and about with baby.

It features breathable mesh fabric and padded shoulder and waist straps and is designed to make babywearing cool and comfy for both parent and baby. The buckled waistband clicks together in a snap and is adjustable and is accented with a removable wristlet pouch for on-the-go essentials.

Self-guiding magnetic buckles make securing baby simple and safe. The attached hood shades baby, while the integrated breeze cover provides extra protection when out and about. The CUDL clik also ergonomically adapts from newborn to toddler stage.

Contact Steven Smith, Brand Manager Nuna UK for more information. Steven.Smith@nunababy.com

supplier snapshot

Nicola Coletti

Do you think consumers will be altering their buying habits

Yes I think they will be. It is really hard when it comes to buying products for baby as a lot of products in our industry are deemed ‘essential’ rather than ‘nice to have’.

With the cost of living crisis we can see an increase in consumers reverting to second-hand car seats, which we strongly advise against due to not knowing the full history of the seats. To try to combat this, we have heavily invested in our ranges to ensure that there is a car seat for every budget. Alongside this, we are running promotional campaigns throughout the year, which will enable consumers to get the best products at the best price for them.

What do you feel will be your largest challenge this year? The current economic landscape is affecting all businesses this year. Both in the direct impact on operations and changes in consumer buying behaviour as a result of the cost of living crisis.

Whilst we have made every effort to mitigate impact on our operations, we know this will be a challenge for the rest of the year. As mentioned previously, we’re also working hard to ensure our portfolio reflects the changing consumer demands and offers products across a range of budgets, this includes our home range: the S Collection. The S Collection consists of a bouncer, highchair and co-sleeper, and has been created to be compact, lightweight and budget-friendly, all with the quality you would expect from Maxi-Cosi.

Do you feel there will be a particular nursery product category that will be trending this year, or perhaps a colourway or products with eco credentials, etc.? We are already seeing trends towards eco-friendly shopping habits and feel this will really accelerate in 2023 as consumers become even more sustainability focused.

As a brand, we’re proud to have designed our EcoCare fabric which is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles and is used across all new car seats and home equipment. As we progress further into 2023, EcoCare will be included on all new pushchairs, leading to an almost complete range of sustainable products.

It is an exciting year ahead and we can’t wait to see how sustainable ranges develop.

How will you be utilising social media throughout 2023? Do you feel this will give your business a higher level of success to bring awareness to your brand and product ranges?

Social media provides a great opportunity for us to communicate with our customers, so we have invested heavily in our social media plan for 2023 and are very excited to see the results.

This year, we are supporting our retailers more than ever before with full social media content packs which include engaging monthly content to reach even more parents.

Do you have any exciting plans or new product launches on the horizon this year that you would like to share with Nursery Today readers?

We can’t share anything as yet but 2023 is going to be huge for us, so watch this space!

Marc Kelly

CUDDLECO

What are your hopes for 2023 as a business?

Charity work is a huge part of our culture at CuddleCo, so this is something we hope to continue to grow this year!

We were very fortunate last year to be able to donate £70,000 to our local foodbank and a further £5,000 worth of toys to Cash for Kids Greater Manchester as part of their Mission Christmas campaign.

We’re so proud to have been able to make a difference with both donations, ensuring that more children were able to wake up to a present on Christmas morning and that the foodbank was replenished as much as we could support. We also have to say a big thank you to Smyths Toys for donating a further £500 worth of toys on top of our shop.

We’re hoping to support more worthy local charities this year and continue supporting the foodbank.

Thank you to everyone who supported us in 2021!

Do you feel there will be a particular nursery product category that will be trending this year, or perhaps a colourway or products with eco credentials, etc.? We predict the demand for natural, sustainable materials to grow as parent’s become more eco-conscious when choosing furniture for their nursery. Rattan is a beautiful, natural material we expect will continue to prove popular this year. Our Aria Rattan Nursery Range highlights how you can combine a traditional weaving technique with a contemporary design to create a timeless, sustainable range for the modern nursery.

As for colourways, black will grow in popularity and be embraced in the nursery. Expect to see the colour used in bold and subtle ways, with statement pieces like Rafi. That combines a soft matte black finish with warm wood tones for a contemporary nursery or subtle hints on handles and within prints.

How will you be utilising social media throughout 2023? Do you feel this will give your business a higher level of success to bring awareness to your brand and product ranges?

This year we will be taking a video-first approach to social media, creating short-form videos for Instagram (Reels) and TikTok. Social media management platform, Hootsuite, predicts that TikTok will become the number one social media network. So ensuring we have a presence there is a must! Last year we began experimenting with how we could use TikTok as part of our social media strategy - our learnings mean we can now utilise the platform to the best of our ability.

Do you have any exciting plans or new product launches on the horizon this year that you would like to share with Nursery Today readers?

We do! 2023 is off to a busy start with the relaunch of Junior Jones, with stock available from the end of January. After the brilliant feedback the Aylo Stroller received at Harrogate, we can’t wait for it to finally arrive in stores and online.

After that, we’ll be launching Veer in the UK, which we’re super excited about! Perfect for family adventures – the All Terrain Cruiser can be pushed just like a stroller and has room for 2, with the option to even add a car seat!

What type of support are you hoping to provide your retail partners throughout 2023?

As always, we’ll be providing our retailers with all the tools and resources they need to market our products, including informative assets for product listing and fabulous creative packs for launching on social.

Our UK-based customer service team will also be on hand to answer any questions and offer support along with their regional account managers.

Nursery Today spoke to Dorel’s Senior Field Marketeer Nicola Coletti and CuddleCo’s Managing Director Marc Kelly to find out their thoughts on the year ahead.

Year of Scrutiny with Amazon

Managing Director Asha Bhalsod

As we head into the new year, we are seeing Amazon take a renewed focus on profitability and productivity. We are in the midst of one of the toughest business climates yet, and brands will be forced to change how they manage their Amazon marketplaces. Amazon will put everything you do under the microscope, and they will scrutinise margins extensively. This will be a year of scrutiny with Amazon!

could lead to detrimental consequences for your business. The ongoing argument by many brands is that Amazon has its own pricing policy – so why should brands be penalised for this?

Amazon In-House Resources vs Agency

Managing Director, Asha Bhalsod

Net PPM and Profitability

Until recent y[ears, Amazon rarely discussed their margins and profitability with Vendors. Selection was key. Participating in deal events was key. And having “good” terms was the foot in the door for Amazon to introduce the topic of profitability. This driver changed in recent years, and now there is a clear shift towards profitability. Vendors are scrutinised more; almost asked to meet a guaranteed net margin. And at the end of the year, when those margins are unmet, trading term negotiations get very tough. Amazon’s Net PPM (Pure product margin) needs to be tracked monthly and should almost be fixed; it simply can’t drop. The risk of Amazon not making enough margin from your brand and its products

Q4 was challenging, and as I predicted in my December Nursery Today article, more layoffs are on the horizon at Amazon. Less Amazon staff means more pressure on Vendors to equip themselves to wholly manage their Amazon business. Therefore, the spotlight will shift to finding talent with the proper skill set, perseverance, and grit to go the distance when a scaled-down version of Amazon support services can no longer assist with day-to-day challenges. Your Amazon team needs to be well-versed in account management, analytics, marketing, content creation, sales support, logistics, and operations. If you don’t have a team in place to service Amazon currently, recruitment will be the next option. Amazon skills are in high demand. Due to the rapid growth of the channel, the market is under-skilled, and salaries have increased an incredible 30%-50% from pre-Covid to today.

Alternatively, you can hire an agency to complement and help support your team with specific Amazon marketplace knowledge and expertise. An agency shouldn’t necessarily be used to replace your existing e-Commerce team. They can help to upskill and work in parallel with your in-house team until day-to-day operations are handed over and the agency only steps in to ensure that your Amazon strategy delivers according to plan.

Pay to Play with Amazon

In 2023 you’ll have to zoom out and scrutinise all the costs to serve Amazon holistically. This includes advertising spend. Brands will have to pay (more) to play on Amazon next year! The cost per click will increase, and advertising spend will come in at a higher percentage of sales. Deeper pockets and strategic investment in advertising will be necessary. On the flip side, when investment spikes, organic sales may spike, so there may be a positive domino effect.

Data is, without a doubt, the most crucial element to consider in advertising. And just when you think you have enough, gather more! All decisions you make around campaign execution should be backed up

Etopia’s

Etopia’s

takes a look at how to manage your Amazon marketplaces during a tough economic climate.

by data and strategy. Worst thing you can do is to get emotionally attached to categories, ASINs or search terms. If something is not converting or part of your SEO strategy, stop spending on that item! And just because a search term has high search volumes doesn’t mean you should target it. More often than not, the competition is saturated for that term.

Global and EU Expansion

Contrary to common belief, expanding into global Amazon territories isn’t as straightforward as it might look. However, with tax liabilities, localised translated content, and pricing strategies – there’s a

supplier snapshot

lot to consider! It’s not as simple as copy and paste. Is there demand for your products? How fierce is the competition in your product category? How well does your brand translate into the local language? It’s also worth considering whether an agency to manage your EU launch will be better suited vs your internal team. Your internal team will be focused on running the day-to-day Amazon business and moving them into other projects could result in your current Amazon business losing focus.

Win-Win Profitability

There’s growing pressure on Amazon to ensure their vendors are profitable for

them. Whether that’s through escalated terms or requests to be involved in retail programmes, brands have to be very mindful that (increasing) Amazon’s profit will be the focal point for the next few years! And what are the implications of not grasping this renewed focus? I expect unprofitable SKUs and ranges will be taken off sale and Vendors showing a reduced willingness to interact with your brand. I wouldn’t be surprised if they stopped ordering from your business altogether if the margins are that challenging. It’s simple - Amazon will grow your account if your brand is profitable for them, so creating a

financially viable commercial proposition for both parties will lead to a win-win situation.

Market conditions are tough at the moment, and the pressure on brands will continue to mount. Amazon will intensify its focus on growth and profit, and brands will be forced to tweak their business playbook. When kicking off 2023 planning, ensure that your internal teams understand the fundamental reasons behind your 2022 profit performance. This will help you build a comprehensive strategy aligned with your overarching e-Commerce and business objectives. For further support on your Amazon business, please get in touch!

Nursery Today spoke to Joie’s Head of Product Management Damon Marriot to find out his thoughts on the year ahead.

What are your hopes for 2023 as a business?

We have a great relationship with all our retail partners, and we are looking forward to continuing to support each other through 2023 – there are some exciting times ahead as we continue to expand our product range. We are also hoping that we are moving into a more stable period in terms of the various shipping and transportation fluctuations that we have seen over the last few years that have had an impact on cost and product availability.

Do you think consumers will be altering their buying habits during the continued cost of living crisis?

It is certainly no surprise that current economic situation has had a massive impact on families across the UK and it is likely that we will see this reflected in the way consumers spend. As the cost-of-living crisis is hitting many families hard, here at Joie we are committed to giving our consumers a wide range of options at a number of different price points, making sure that we are catering to all budgets.

What do you feel will be your largest challenge this year?

We are transitioning our new R129 products into the core section of our CRS business, whist simultaneously phasing out our older R44 products – this will pose a challenge for many brands as different retail partners will have different strategies in terms of timing. What type of support are you hoping to provide your retail partners throughout 2023?

We will continue to directly support our retail partners through our dedicated team of sales trainers who will help spread the understanding of the benefits of R129 products. We will also continue with our multi-channel approach regarding access to assets that will assist both retail partners and consumers with understanding the differences

between R129, R44 and i-Size.

Do you feel there will be a particular nursery product category that will be trending this year, or perhaps a colourway or products with eco credentials, etc.?

Yes, the eco/sustainable product line will see more activity for sure, combined with continued new launch R129 products entering the market.

More and more consumers are thinking about sustainability when making their purchases, so we are sure to see an increase in demand for products in this area of the market.

Do you have any exciting plans or new product launches on the horizon this year that you would like to share with Nursery Today readers? Absolutely – we are really excited about some of our amazing launches that we have coming in 2023, particularly our Cycle Collection which uses recycled plastic bottles to make the soft materials on a selection of our most popular products. Plus the launch of the i-spin XL which will complement our award winning spin family perfectly.

Furnished to perfection

The Nursery Furniture & Décor category continues to grow which isn’t surprising as this is one of the bigger ticket items, ensuring that nursery furniture and accessories for the nursery is big business for nursery retailers, with many parents opting for furniture sets and accessories that give a co-ordinated feel to the nursery.

Beautiful addition

The Nebraska furniture collection makes a beautiful addition to any nursery with its elegant sleigh design and gentle curves.

The room set includes a cot bed, dresser and wardrobe, which comes in either a grey or white finish.

The cot bed includes a large under-bed drawer and converts from a cot into a toddler bed and a daybed, making it a great long-lasting piece.

The dresser features a full-width drawer which provides plenty of storage space, while the open shelf areas keep nappy changing essentials close to hand.

The double wardrobe includes two full-width hanging rails and a large drawer, to keep everything beautifully organised. 01692 408802 nursery@east-coast.co.uk | www.eastcoastnursery.co.uk

Cozy to sleep

Red Kite introduced the latest addition to their successful co-sleeper range at the recent Harrogate show to the trade and this will shortly be available.

The brand new Cozysleep is a luxury feel and practical bedside co-sleeper crib but with the Red Kite fantastic value price point. Padded and quilted lined interior give a snug and cosy feel for baby. Finished in muted grey tones to fit in with any home interior. Fully adjustable height and tilt positions to give baby a safe sleeping environment. Supplied with mattress, carry bag and all fitting harness. Tel: 01454 326 562

wwwredkitebaby.com

Coffee Break

Nursery Today had the pleasure to catch up with Tutti Bambini’s Marketing Manager, Lullana (Lulu) Vinte to gain her thoughts on the nursery furniture category.

Are we experiencing any particular trends when we take a look at Nursery Furniture. As an example Scandi-style, colourways, curved lines in design?

Following Covid, people are trying to bring more life into their homes and are moving away from grey tones into more natural earthy tones and finishes. Scandi style has been quite popular in the last couple of years and it will probably remain one of consumer’s top picks due to the slim, sleek lines and effortless elegance.

We have also noticed a lot of new launches of furniture in various oak finishes, whether it’s only oak or combined with solid colours like white or slate grey. We’ve also spotted variations in wood texture, bold colours like navy and emerald green and combinations of oak and accent colours.

With the current ‘cost of living’ crisis, are expectant parents looking more closely at price vs. function?

We haven’t seen a drop in the price people are willing to pay for furniture. But it is no longer an impulse buy as they make more considered choices and look to get the best value for the price.

And with this in mind, are we experiencing a rise in expectation of furniture that offer longevity from birth that can be adapted for older children?

All of our cot beds are designed to last up to 6 years, so we feel that we already offer that longevity within our range. As an example, with our CoZee crib range we have seen a massive uplift in sales in our CoZee XL package which takes the age range up to 4 years plus. Most consumers seem to associate longevity with being more environmentally friendly.

How important is social media to brands within this category as this is a very visual lifestyle sector?

Social media is one of the first stages in the sales funnel, it brings awareness and interest in a brand’s products. It is the first place people go to when looking for inspiration for their nurseries, so it is quite vital to keep a good presence and try to appear in people’s feeds as much as possible, providing them with valuable content and style inspiration that they can save for later or share with friends.

Are eco-credentials important within this nursery product sector and if so, do you feel brands have reacted accordingly to ensure this is feature of their ranges?

Eco-credentials have become more important in the consumer’s buying choice. However, because of the effect it can have on the price point, it is not something that can happen overnight, but it is a work in progress for many brands out there.

What are the benefits to retailers who stock nursery furniture instore and is there any advice you can offer?

Because furniture tends to be a considered purchase, customers still like to go in store to touch and see the products in real life. Retailers can really maximise on this by setting the mood with each room set on display, to capture customers’ imagination and inspire them with different styles and props.

On trend with Venicci

A modern, yet simple furniture collection in a Scandinavian style. Designed not only for babies, but for parents as well, this furniture collection is focused on ergonomics and supporting the healthy development of the child, thanks to the solutions used.

When your customers decide to buy a Saluzzo set, they buy furniture for years - the crib will be sufficient up to 4 years of age, and the highest quality of fittings and other materials will ensure its durability.

The furniture fits perfectly not only in large rooms, but due to its well-thought-out forms, it will fit perfectly in smaller spaces, too. You can arrange the elements creating a harmonious and safe space. Available in Premium White, Warm Grey & Graphite. Check out the Venicci website for more information.

Instagram-Worthy Nursery Furniture for 2023

A new year calls for new nursery furniture! And CuddleCo’s Autumn Winter Collection is full of Instagram-worthy furniture ranges we love. Offering affordable style for the nursery in 2023 is Nola. Available in Sage Green, Flint Blue and Blush Pink, Nola uses the power of colour to turn even the tiniest of rooms into a truly, modern nursery.

Aria is another range part of CuddleCo’s latest furniture launch. This rattan nursery furniture collection uses natural, sustainable materials and textures to bring the boho-chic trend to life. It also offers parents an ecological option for the nursery. sales@cuddleco.co.uk

Bigger and better than ever before

Enesco launches new jumbo Peter Rabbit plush into its Beatrix Potter Soft Toy Collection – the perfect accessory to any nursery. Enesco is hopping with happiness to announce a larger-than-life plush will join its best-selling re-invented, reimagined and totally renewed line of Beatrix Potter soft toys. The new plush has been developed in collaboration with Penguin Ventures on behalf of Frederick Warne & Co. (owner of THE WORLD OF PETER RABBIT brand and part of Penguin Random House).

New for 2023, everyone’s favourite bob-tailed bunny and mischief maker, Peter Rabbit, is presented in a brand-new jumbo format, measuring in at a whopping 69.0cm.

Bigger and better than ever before, the Peter Rabbit Jumbo features a brand-new pattern and fabrics as well as high-quality super soft stuffings. The plush is wonderful to touch and oh-so-cuddly, while calling on the classic designs, character illustrations and original artwork from Beatrix Potter’s best-loved tales.

Of course, Peter Rabbit Jumbo is presented in his iconic blue coat with little yellow buttons, seeing his fluffy ears pricked up and his paws outstretched as if ready to give a great big hug. Retailing with a SRP of £135.00, this investment piece is paw-fect for any fan of The World of Peter Rabbit and is sure to give the warmest of hugs as it’s passed down the family for generations to enjoy for many years to come. helen.cottrill@enesco.co.uk www.enesco.co.uk

Meet Jonah, Tutti Bambini’s New Rocking Chair

Clean, comtempory look

The Panama furniture collection has a mid-century modern style, with a mix of white and wood finishes, making it a beautiful addition to your new nursery. The cot bed was designed so that the fittings don’t show on the ends, for a clean, contemporary look. It converts from cot to toddler bed, and has three adjustable base heights, making it easier to pick up your newborn and prevent escape attempts as they grow!

The dresser includes three large drawers for nappy changing essentials, and the changing top is removable, making it a practical and long-lasting addition to your baby’s room.

Tel: 01692 408802 nursery@east-coast.co.uk www.eastcoastnursery.co.uk

Tutti Bambini are launching Jonah, the latest rocking chair to join their versatile range of nursery furniture. With a contemporary design to complement most home interiors, the Jonah is as stylish as it is practical. Ergonomically designed to offer both comfort and stability, the Jonah rocking chair provides full body support with an additional matching foot stool to encourage an optimum feeding position. Sturdy and made from durable materials, the Jonah is designed to last for years to come. Available in two colourways. www.tuttibambini.com

We hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year! We are stuffed with all of the amazing food we have eaten but here at Online4baby and we are now ready for another busy year providing families with help and support, product knowledge and information for their upcoming special arrivals.

January is the biggest month of the year in the nursery industry, where expectant parents and other family members can focus on other important purchases now that Christmas has passed.

We find in January that customers tend to purchase the higher value categories, such as nursery furniture and travel systems, which are our two biggest categories. Our customers prefer to purchase the nursery furniture value bundles, such as the two piece or three-piece sets, and then choose to add on extras such as bedding, rocking chairs and soft furnishings. We get a lot of great feedback on our bundles, which prove each year to be really welcomed with our customers as they do not have to personally look for the sets or additional items themselves.

One of the key trends we have noticed at Online4baby is the desire for colour within the nursery category. Greys, natural wood, and navy have all proved increasingly popular over the past couple of years, however, white is still

Retail matters

Managing Director

predominantly the best seller with 70%-80% of our sales. The décor of our customers’ houses has a bigger weighting on the furniture they choose for their nurseries, with most liking to match the nursery to the dominant colour scheme of the house. Grey and White will always remain popular, these neutral colours are timeless which make them perfect for matching the rest of the home.

As well as colour, we are noticing a slight shift in the shape of products too. Curves and round edges are becoming much more popular, and manufacturers are creating pieces which include eye-catching shapes, sleek lines and bold colour choices. Scandinavian woods and contrasting colours are peeping into the market and catching the eyes of the customer who would usually stick with the whites and greys, we can’t wait to see how our customer style them!

Within the nursery industry there are two types of products: essentials and luxury. Here at Online4baby, we focus on providing key essentials for newborns, at great prices. However, we are continuing to scope out the luxury end of the newborn sector with the latest brands, which is very exciting. Regardless of where the product lies in the brand pyramid or price point, we

One of the key trends we have noticed at Online4baby is the desire for colour within the nursery category. Greys, natural wood, and navy have all proved increasingly popular over the past couple of years, however, white is still predominantly the best seller with 70%-80% of our sales.

are noticing that Moses’ baskets and cribs are becoming much more popular, as well as bouncers and swings.

Even considering the recent cost of living crisis, we are noticing that the top established brands are still as important to

customers as they were before and continue to be purchased even if finances are tight, due to the trust the market has with these brands. Forming strong relationships with our brands is key for us this coming year.

Online4baby are delighted to be a Which?

Recommended Provider for Baby & Child Retailers 2021.

Online4baby’s

Christy Foster takes a look at emerging trends and the potential for the year ahead.

Meet the new Silhouette from Cosatto

It’s been a long time coming. After years of building their famous brand styling and honing their designs, Cosatto - the brand known across the industry for their quality and functionality, have responded to increasing demand - unleashing ‘Silhouette’ design - the sum of all their expertise and experience – with an unexpected surprise…it’s jet-black.

At the top of their game, this seemed the right time, explains Vicky Morley, Cosatto Creative and Marketing Director. “Silhouette had to happen. It was a natural consequence and celebration of all Cosatto’s craftsmanship – the sum of all styling, standing out perfectly in plain black.”  As Stephen Shaw, Associate Creative Director reflects, “designing Silhouette was like a perfect puzzle – it’s plain black, but it’s anything but plain.”

Cosatto have described their new Silhouette design as a democratic design, ‘a design for everyone’, making it available across their range of bestselling travel systems, strollers and car seats. From the top-end award-winning luxury Wow family to the essential travel system bundle and their

bestselling All in All Rotate i-Size car seat, it’s for those seeking Cosatto’s distinctive style but pared down. The Silhouette design is a timely response to that growing demographic.

“We wanted to address a bigger sector of the market, reaching a wider range of consumers – to really amp up our sales even more,” says Laura Wells, Cosatto Associate UK Sales Director.

This is the Cosatto you know and love, but jet-black. More an addition than a departure, Silhouette still reflects the same Cosatto ethos. “Same brand heritage, same design expertise, same distinctive quality, still baby sensory, still design driven – this is signature Cosatto, with the thought, craftsmanship and functionality customers have come to expect,” adds Morley.

Cosatto’s attention to detail gets even more of a spotlight against a plain backdrop. From polished enamel pips to high gloss and premium finishes, Silhouette design has a refined feel. With vegan leather trims, exquisite embroidery, coal-black chassis and flashes of chrome, it gleams with the glow of luxury.

Amid this atmospheric aesthetic, Cosatto’s classic sensory hood takes centre stage - with their trademark baby-engaging patterns within. From working with the UK’s leading baby labs, to harnessing early sensory skills with designs that encourage engagement, they’re committed to their ‘Better for your Baby’ ethos and the Silhouette collection is no different.

With a fantastic retailer response at Harrogate Nursery Fair and pre-launch feedback indicating

Cosatto have described their new Silhouette design as a democratic design, ‘a design for everyone’, making it available across their range of bestselling travel systems, strollers and car seats.

huge traction potential, Silhouette’s future is bright. Its marketing plan is primed to be unleashed at key points in the launch calendar, for maximum engagement. As a brand with twice the industry average followers on social, plus industry-leading assets and world-class support, Silhouette is set to be a great commercial success.

Be there at the beginning. Order now.  rebecca.carson@cosatto.com  www.cosatto.com

Delivering to demand, Cosatto introduce a new collection - with all their trademark styling and craftsmanship… but jet-black.

It’s here. The new Silhouette collection from Cosatto. Cosatto trademark styling and craftsmanship. Now available in jet-black. Be there at the beginning. Order now. Contact rebecca.carson@cosatto.com

Flying the flag

British design has been a leader of fashion for years and has been known to set iconic trends. Why not fly the British flag in your stores - whether they be British by design, or Made in Britain.

Sustainably British

Blade & Rose are an award-winning childrenswear brand, famed for being the pioneers of baby and toddler leggings that feature cute characters on the bottom.

The entire range is designed at their in-house headquarters in the beautiful Cumbrian landscape.

Since launch in 2010, Blade & Rose has since expanded its collection to jumpers, rompers, and booties all of which are made with sustainable cotton.  One of their proudest partnerships is with fictional favourite, Peter Rabbit, playing homage to the late Beatrix Potter who was also based in the beautiful region.  www.bladeandrose.co.uk

Time for change

The Treetops Changing Mat from

Silvercloud features adorable forest animal friends in a soft, unisex colour palette.

The mat is softly padded for comfort, and is easy to wipe clean. It is designed to fit most dressers and is proudly made in the UK.

There are many other gorgeous products in the Silvercloud Treetops collection, including a bedding set, sleeping bag, hooded cuddle robes, and a knitted blanket. All lovingly designed, to help you create a beautiful themed nursery.

Silvercloud is the bedding brand of East Coast Nursery: a family-run business for over 60 years, supplying award-winning products for babies. Tel: 01692 408802 nursery@east-coast.co.uk www.eastcoastnursery.co.uk

Inspiring British Designs

The Ada and Isla nursery furniture ranges are the latest offerings of the Autumn Winter Collection from CuddleCo. Both have a distinctively modern feel, perfect for the contemporary nursery. These two furniture collections were designed in-house by the CuddleCo team. They focus on identifying upcoming trends that drive customers’ tastes and behaviour. The team are committed to offering inspiring designs with commercial confidence. Taking inspiration from many places, such as international design shows like Maison & Objet and trends on social media. sales@cuddleco.co.uk

Award winning sleep

Moba, the gold award winning contemporary Moses basket is ergonomic, chic, eco-friendly and hygienic.

No more rustling noise. No more stripping the trees and toxic carbon footprint from diesel container shipping. No more nasty chemical fumigation.

Moba is patented and British made with a unique hypoallergenic, anti microbial TPE for soft touch and easy cleaning. Strong integrated handles with over 300 ir holes. Recommended by safety experts. Long lasting and dual purpose. Available in a range of modern colours. Contact the below for further information.

hello@mobauk.com | www.mobauk.com

Proud of British design

All Red Kite products start their journey with their clever design team in the UK. Whether it is looking at trends and fashions for updating strollers to the cute stories and themes they have across their play range.

Red Kite have recently updated and introduced a brand new version of their very popular Safari Playgym to the play range. Featuring new cute and lovable characters that any newborn baby will love. The playgym includes crinkle play textures and includes a handy prop pillow for tummy time play and development.

Toys can be interchanged on the toy arches and pillow and also includes a mirror for baby’s recognition skills. Featuring white and black designs for newborn stimulation. They are proud to shout out their British designed products.

Tel: 01454 326 562 wwwredkitebaby.com

retailer opinion

Nursery Today spoke to Jolly Tots owner Lorretta Owen to find out her thoughts on the year ahead as an independent nursery retailer

What are your hopes for 2023 as a business?

We hope to continue our growth. 2022 saw a huge increase in the number of new brands we stock. Our aim is to continue to cater for all budgets. The financial climate will mean a greater need for more budget conscious shopping. We are expecting a greater demand for the lower end nursery products which is something we specialise in. Our “unpretty box” range has been very much in demand.

The website launched in 2022 and that has been phenomenal. It created a need for more staff so we hope to expand our work force.

Do you think your customers will be altering their buying habits during the continued cost of living crisis?

The bottom line is we are all affected by this. We all have less disposable cash in the current climate.

Customers are definitely altering their buying habits. In turn they are looking for even greater discounts. We are receiving a huge number of ‘price match’ requests. Our bundles are proving a very popular choice. They provide excellent value for money. Customers are looking at more budget conscious items. There is also an increase in the number of orders that are placed using PayPal credit , Klarna and Clearpay to spread the cost.

How has the cost-of-living crisis effected your own business, for example, the cost of running your store?

The cost of running the store with electricity, heating and general running costs has gone up considerably. As a business we aim to recycle as many boxes as possible for shipping so this helps to keep costs down where we can and obviously is beneficial to the environment.

We have found the ever-increasing costs of shipping also an issue. Along with company’s minimum order value before shipping also increasing.

Are your customers running research online prior to purchase and expecting larger discounts or price-matching from you?

100 percent yes. Both instore and on the website. Customers are often seen researching on phones etc for cheaper prices even when instore. The request for price matching items is becoming more and more frequent.

What do you feel will be your largest challenge this year? Our largest challenge will be to continue keeping prices competitive. Some weeks it feels that all we are doing is increasing sale prices. We love to offer our customers fantastic value with incredible customer service.

What type of support would you like to see your suppliers giving you throughout 2023?

It would be nice to see suppliers offering more promotions. It would also be nice if there was an increase in the number of companies offering drop ship which is brilliant for our web orders. I would like to see more companies offering staff training. Those that do we have found really helps with confidence and in turn a huge increase in sales.

Do you feel there will be a particular nursery product category

that will be trending this year, or perhaps a colourway, products with eco credentials, etc.?

I feel that there will be an increase in the number of spin 360 car seat bases for infant car seats. The award-winning Joie Encore base has been a HUGE hit instore along with the Nuna next base. The Joie Calmi and Nuna Cari carrycot for car travel has also been very popular with customers. They have loved the ability for baby to travel flat and comfortable.

I think that pastel colourways may become popular with wheeled goods suggesting a movement away from grey tones.

We are finding customers are loving the neutral and rustic tones for the nursery with CuddleCo Ada furniture set and the Aria Rattan Crib being a particular hit. We have recently refurbished our nursery area and this has been a huge success.  How will you be utilising social media throughout 2023? Do you feel this will give your business a higher level of success to bring customer awareness and drive footfall or visits to your website?

We really do utilise social media. We have a large following on Facebook of over 80,000. Before we had the website this was our main advertising portal. We really enjoy doing the Tiktoks and have found this really helps with advertising. We have had customers travel from really far away who had never heard of us before.

We regularly do “lives” on our Facebook and have found this really increases sales. Customers often rematch them too at a later date.

As a business the social media avenues are a true gift. They enable us to reach customers much further afield.

As a business, what would you say will be your main strategy for the year ahead?

It will be to continue doing what we are doing. To offer something for everyone’s budget. Even baby is special and every parent who purchase should feel that way. If its higher end or more budget conscious. We appreciate each and every customer.

Do you have any exciting plans this year that you would like to share with Nursery Today readers?

We have some HUGE exciting news for our business...We can’t quite reveal it yet but all I will say is watch this space. We are hoping 2023 will be even more fantastic.

We hope to keep doing what we do best and providing quality baby goods for everyone’s budget. Which we have been proudly doing for over 30 years.

Sponsored by

Toddlers and beyond

The Evolve 3-in-1 Highchair is the latest product to join the Ergobaby Evolve Home Collection, following on from the popular Evolve 3-in-1 bouncer which launched the collection in late 2022. Lasting families from infancy, through the toddler years and beyond, it ergonomically supports and grows with little ones, whether they are joining in at the table to eat with the family, getting crafty, or becoming budding sous chefs on their kitchen helper. Thoughtfully selected and beautifully designed materials are easy to clean and ensure the ultimate in support, function, and safety through every stage of growth. service@ergobaby.co.uk www.ergobaby.co.uk

Three layers of protection

I-Plenti is the smart and stylish option for parents looking to move on to the next option for the growing passenger. Suitable from 15 months to approximately 12 years, i-Plenti easily converts from a harnessed toddler seat to a belted high-backed booster.

I-Plenti meets the highest R129 safety standards, which includes mandatory side impact testing and also has i-Size certification which means it is super easy to install via the ISOFIX connectors and guarantees a perfect fit in i-Size approved vehicles.

With Joie’s patented Tri-Protect headrest, i-Plenti offers three layers of side impact protection, as well as Intelli-Fit memory foam for added absorbency and comfort. Added safety is given by the Guard Surround Safety panels, strengthening the side-impact protection, with detachable pods that click into the either side of the car seat head rest. I-Plenti is further strengthened by ultra-resilient steel reinforcement that creates a secure and sturdy shell.

Tel: 01889 808 900 uksales@joiebaby.com

New ranges

The team at Orange Tree Toys are excited to announce their new products for 2023.

Orange Tree Toys are launching a beautiful Woodland Animals range in autumnal colours, as well as adding to their London collection, and some brand new Scotland lines.

There is also a great selection of pocket money toys being introduced across their ranges. There will be additions to their licensed collections, including some gorgeous new lines to their Disney Winnie the Pooh range, and a small brand new range of Peter Rabbit TV products.

Orange Tree Toys will be exhibiting at Springfair – 5th-8th February, Stand: Hall 5, G14-H15. sales@orangetreetoys.com www.orangetreetoys.com

The brand that parents www.clippasafe.co.uktrust

Suitable for all terrains

Genesis is the new, refined Travel System from Venicci. Many years of experience have resulted in creating a pram which includes all of the favourite features of experienced parents. It is an obvious choice among others.

Perfect for urban as well as more demanding terrains - Genesis can handle them all. Reliable suspension, the smoothness and lightness of steering as well as its simple fold are only some of the functionalities that make this pram enjoyable to use for babies but also their parents.

Available as a 3in1 bundle in 4 colours, but have your eyes peeled, this is only the beginning.  www.venicci.co.uk

A cracking good gift from The World of Peter Rabbit!

Enesco launches new range of Beatrix Potter egg cups

Contemporary gift retailer, Enesco, is hopping for glee to announce the addition of brand-new egg cups into its hugely popular Beatrix Potter collection, in a deal executed by Penguin Ventures on behalf of Frederick Warne & Co. (owner of THE WORLD OF PETER RABBIT brand and part of Penguin Random House).

Rather than a standard egg cup structure for boiled eggs and dippy bread, the new and egg-citing Beatrix Potter Egg Cups feature a figurine of one of four different characters from The World of Peter Rabbit, peering into a basket next to them, which acts as the cup

Fine dining

Dinner time never looked so delicious thanks to the arrival of the new mimzy recline from Joie. This adaptable aide adjusts every which way to give your growing foodie a comfortable dining experience from teeny to toddler.

Mimzy recline joins the rest of the mimzy family but comes with 5 adjustable recline positions that can cradle your little one from birth to 15kg. Mimzy recline lifts little one right to the centre of attention thanks to the 7 different height positions that easily convert the highchair into a table chair, as well as offering 3 footrest positions to adapt to their growing needs.

Baby can enjoy the best seat in the house, cocooned in a plush and padded washable body support that is simple to remove for easy cleaning. Tel: 01889 808 900

uksales@joiebaby.com

Affordable luxury

Red Kite unveiled several new product launches to the industry at Harrogate and some of these are now shortly due to market starting with the amazing new compact stroller the Push Me Koko which was their star of the show. New colour options in Amber and Slate with so many features and now includes the additional shoulder carry strap and front boot. Stunning quality and practicality and yet affordable luxury!

Also arriving shortly is the new addition to Sit Me Up range now in the popular Tree Top neutral design which also had a great response at the show as well as the brand new updated Safari Playgym. Tel: 01454 326 562 | wwwredkitebaby.com

Characters included in this collection are Jemima Puddle-duck, Benjamin Bunny, Flopsy and of course everyone’s favourite bob-tailed bunny and main mischief

Each egg cup is carefully crafted from ceramic and measures in at 9.5cm tall. Each character is depicted using the original artwork from Beatrix Potter’s original tales, so fans of Peter Rabbit and will recognise him wearing his iconic blue jacket, Flopsy with her sweet little red cape, Jemima Puddle-duck with her big bonnet, and Benjamin Bunny with his infamous green Tam-oShanter.

helen.cottrill@enesco.co.uk www.enesco.co.uk

Post birth support

Lansinoh, renowned for their postpartum and breastfeeding solutions are extending their award-winning Birth Preparation & Recovery portfolio with their new highly absorbent Maternity Pads.

These pads have been designed specifically to support and protect new mums in the days and weeks after giving birth. Developed specifically for post-birth bleeding, Lansinoh’s Extra Absorbent Maternity Pads are anatomically shaped, longer and wider at the back, with leak guard protection from the heaviest bleeding in those first few weeks. As new mums transition from the phase of bleeding to the second and third with a lighter flow, their absorbency needs are reduced. Coupled with getting into their new routine as a mum and being more active, the smaller Discreet & Absorbent Maternity Pads are designed to still offer protection with an advanced liquid-lock core, but with a slimmer pad. www.lansinoh.co.uk

The brand that parents www.clippasafe.co.uktrust

Robert Anslow Managing Director

BPA notice board

Balancing work in an evolving world

As we enter another new year, we can all but hope that 2023 offers a let up from the stresses and continuous stream of life-changing scenarios thrown at us in the past few years.

The older generations among us will fondly remember when GPs greeted you by name and enquired how the family was; the early morning milkman kept an eye on his elderly customers; the postman delivered mail twice every day; and children bounced happily on the back seat of the car oblivious to a seat belt, let alone R129 regulations versus R44!

Of course, there were miners’ strikes and upheaval to business in the Thatcher years and massive inflation and devastating recession in the early 90s; but the challenges experienced in the last two years have been life-changing on a whole new level. We are not talking about the obvious stress of Brexit, Covid, precarious politics and national strikes here – but a huge change to our work culture, work/life balance and how we interact as human beings.

Two years of covid lockdown has proved to be an unplanned social experiment on a phenomenal scale and presents newfangled ideas that would have been laughed at previously. Which employer in 2019 would have agreed that staff could choose to work from home full-time? Who would have thought that physical meetings would be thrown under the bus in favour of pyjama clad Teams meetings; and very few could even be bothered to don their glad rags for a work Christmas do in 2022 because they preferred to stay at home and greet colleagues over zoom? Far from craving to get back to normality and back into the workplace after Covid, more and more employees resent having to go back into the office to do their job believing that they have now proved it possible to be perfectly efficient remotely –whether that be from home, or much further afield.

If your company is a member of the Baby Products Association and you are not currently receiving members’ e-bulletins with industry updates, but would like to, please email julie@b-p-a.org who will add you to the database.

The wonderful World Wide Web has made this all possible – if you have an internet signal, potentially you can work on the top of Everest. But the jury is still out as to whether this new culture is a good or bad thing. Human beings are social animals and need interaction with others to thrive and survive. Only time will tell if this can be achieved virtually long-term.

Mental health, inclusion and diversity are massive concerns for employers across the UK. The onus on monitoring and supporting

Grow your business by outsourcing

RH Sales and Marketing Limited is directed by Rachelle Harel and works together with manufacturers and brands to help them to grow their UK and International business. Working on an innovative outsourcing model

RH Sales provide additional resource where needed to growing companies in the area of Sales, NPD and Business management. Rachelle also provides business mentoring to emerging and new brands in the industry.

www.b-p-a.org

Having worked in the Juvenile goods industry for over 30 years, Rachelle and her team bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to their clients. Rachelle is also an active member of the Association’s Executive committee.

Tel: 07976 773486

rachelle@rhsalesandmarketing@gmail.com

employees’ mental health has never been more prominent. Is it possible to keep an eye on how people are doing if you only communicate a few times a month on a zoom meeting and a handful of emails a week? Understandably, some employers are struggling with balancing new work expectations having gone from overseeing their workforce 35+ hours a week, to forcibly having to empower and trust their employees to do the work that they are paid for in the comfort of their own homes. Annoyingly for many, a huge majority of employees have proved efficiency and have worked productively in these new circumstances, so is it fair to expect them to return to the office environment, when often it involves a long commute and escalating travel costs?

At the other end of the scale, what if as an employer you decide to close the main office and allow your staff to all work remotely permanently; but a few employees are not happy with this? Some, particularly those who live alone, have really struggled with isolation. Are they within their rights to demand the option to return to the office?

Fortunately, if you are a member of the Baby Products Association, you don’t need to deal with these scenarios alone. We provide a free 24/7 business support line with Quest which has a dedicated HR department to hand-hold you through any decisions you need to make and ensure that you avoid costly tribunals. If you have forgotten your access details, email Julie Milne – info@b-p-a.org

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year and a prosperous 2023.

High quality, stylish value for money products

Casa Tomara is an Irish family-run business trading successfully since 1975. The company significantly raised its profile to the industry in recent years with the launch of its miniuno brand.

This best-selling range of quality, stylish, yet affordable products including travel systems, strollers, cots, high chairs and car seats and mattresses has quickly put miniuno on retailers’ must stock lists. Having exhibited at Harrogate International Nursery Fair in October 2021 and 2022, the miniuno brand is now widely-stocked by independent and national retailers throughout the UK and is also a hot brand with social media influencers.

For more information about Casa Tomara and miniuno, contact Barry Brennan – barry@casatomara.com or call 07841 131161.

Meet our members …

Members of the Baby Products Association, whilst all nursery industry related, include a diverse range of businesses from wheeled goods, car seat and travel products manufacturers, to companies producing feeding, clothing, toys and accessories and also industry service providers. Over the next few months we will introduce some of our members. However, you can view a full list including company contact details on the website at www.b-p-a.org